Flores, Alexander, Rodriguez among winners at Rival Series 4 pro boxing card

 

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OGDEN, UT -- In a packed boxing card at Ogden, Utah's Golden Spike exhibit hall, pro boxers Samuel Flores, Isaiah Rodriguez and Demetrius Alexander were among winners in the nine bouts.

Super featherweight Rodriguez, of Ogden (seen above in photo at right), improved his record to 4-3 with a second-round stoppage over Cruz Guadalupe Carbajal (at left). Rodriguez outpunched Carbajal consistently and had him reeling when the bout was stopped midway through round 2. 

In a welterweight bout Ogden's Flores, one of the top amateur boxers in the nation, won his pro debut with a one-punch KO over journeyman Shane Bridges. Flores boxed carefully for nearly a minute and then threw a hard left hook that sent Bridges into the corner, semi-conscious. The bout was stopped at 58 seconds. 

(Both photos below, of a triumphant Flores on the ring rope, and with trainer Jason Tafoya, are courtesy of Tommy Presnell.)

Flores in the post-bout interview showed charisma, entertaining the crowd with his remarks and enthusiasm. According to Charles Presnell's The Fight Chatter, Flores sold $20,000 worth of tickets for the Rival Series IV event, from All Hearts Promotion. 

From this reporter's perspective, this seemed the highest attending All Heart Promotion to date. (It was announced afterwards that the fight had sold out the arena.)

In an intriguing match between Northern Utah cruiserweights, Demetrius Alexander won a four-round unanimous decision over boxer/trainer Shon Cross. The shorter Alexander, 4-3, was able to occasionally get inside the guard and jab of the taller Cross, 1-2, to have the edge in rounds one, three and four. Cross had a better second round, stifling Alexander and using his strength to score some body shots. 

(Photo below from bout with Alexander, at left, and Cross is courtesy of Tommy Presnell.)

In what may have been the fight of the night, super lightweights Dillan Nguyen, 2-0-1, and debuting Ricky Mamone, fought a four-round draw. Nguyen possessed strong ring generalship, but Mamone was relentless in his pressure. In round four an unintentional butt opened up a bad cut on Nguyen's forehead that bled heavily.

The cards were 39-37 for both fighters and one tally of 38-38. This reporter scored the fight 40-38 for Nguyen. However, during the break this reporter encountered fans who strongly disagreed, feeling Mamone had deserved the win. Hopefully, there will be a rematch for both these fine fighters. 

Another Mamone scored a win. Super welterweight Sergio Mamone, 1-0, gradually took charge over Ogden's John Castro, 1-1, dominating the last two rounds to win a four-round decision.

Undefeated Northern Utah boxer Isaiah Velazco, 2-0, won all four rounds over a tough but outmatched Kaeo Meyer, 0-3. Both were super welterweights.

(Photo from fight below that shows Velazco pressuring Meyer is again courtesy of Tommy Presnell.)

Middleweight Bobby Tabile of Salt Lake City moved to 4-0 with a tough four-round win over awkward but troublesome southpaw Slava Mayzus. The San Francisco boxer landed his share of punches but Tabile was more consistent. Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 twice.

In an exciting bout, super lightweight Zaden Clark of Butte Mont., lost a unanimous four round decision to former noted amateur Utah boxer Emmanuel Aldair Gonzales Secion, 2-0. Gonzales was never in serious danger of losing, but Clark gained fans' respect with his aggressive style and resiliency. On a couple of occasions Clark survived barrages of punches that wobbled him. He also had success with left and right punches that opened up cuts on Gonzales Secion.

In a bout between debuting super featherweights, Eduardo Samarripa Godinez scored a split decision win over Emilio Lopez.

On the March 7, 2026 card, seven of the nine four-round bouts both went the distance and all were competitive in varying degrees. And both Flores and Rodrigues scored entertaining, impressive stoppages. Credit goes to matchmaker Jason DeCarlo and promoter Monica DeCarlo for providing an excellent, quality card for Utah boxing fans.

-- Doug Gibson, at ringside

Alexander v Cross among bouts March 7 at Ogden's Golden Spike Exhibit Hall

 

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(Update: link to stream card via PPV below) On Feb. 21, 2025, light heavyweight boxer Demetrius Alexander, (above) who fights out of Salt Lake City, fought on the inaugural pro boxing Rival Series card, which is part of Ogden-based All Heart Promotions. 

That night, Alexander scored a four-round decision against a tricky, unorthodox opponent, Slava Mayzus. It took Alexander a couple of rounds to figure out Mayzus, but he finished the second half of the bout strongly.

This Saturday night, at Rival Series IV, at Ogden's Golden Spike Exhibit Hall, 1000 N., 1200 West, Ogden, Utah, Alexander returns to the ring in an intriguing local bout. He faces Shon Cross, of Sandy, in a four-round tussle. Cross, a trainer and gym owner, launched his pro boxing career in 2025. He's fought twice on Rival Series cards, winning his pro debut and losing via decision in his last fight.

"Training has been going great," Alexander told Utah Fight Game. "With my opponent not wanting to cut weight I've been able to train and stay healthy the entire camp."

Alexander's head coach for training is Joe Bish at Die Standing gym. "Typically, I'm training six to seven times a week, sparring, strength and conditioning, swimming, as well as incorporating time for recovery," added Alexander.

Utah Fight Game notes that Cross has shown a good jab and resiliency in his two bouts. Alexander says he's prepared to challenge Cross. "My opponent is taller and wants to keep the distance so I'm looking to take away his jab and close the gap," he said.

It's been more than a year since Alexander fought. (More on the reason why below) He is eager to be more active. I always told myself I'd like to get to 10 fights and see where it goes from here. This is fight number 7 (Alexander is 3-3) and I'm feeling in a good place so we will see what the rest of 2026 has in store," Alexander said.

Another bout matches local Isaiah Velazco against Kaeo Meyer. Velazco, a super welterweight, scored an impressive pro debut KO win. Meyer is 0-2.

Also, experienced Ogden super featherweight Isaiah Rodriguez, 3-3, fights Cruz Guadalupe Carbajal. He is 0-6 but lost a majority decision in a Rival Series card last year.

Undefeated local boxer Bobby Tabile, 3-0, faces a tough test when he fights the aforementioned Mayzus, 1-2-1, who as reported gave Alexander a tough bout last year. It will be a middleweight four rounder.

In a featherweight bout, Samuel Flores makes his pro debut against Shane Bridges, 1-6.

Jason DeCarlo of All Heart Promotions serves as matchmaker for the Rival Series cards. "I feel like these are the best matches we've had yet. I'm looking forward to the show."

DeCarlo points to a super lightweight bout between Dillan Nguyen, 2-0, and pro debuting Ricky Mamone as a potential "fight of the night." ... "Bobby and Slava will be a great fight too," DeCarlo added.

Other bouts on the card include super lightweights Emmanuel Aldair Gonzalez Secion, 1-0, versus Zaden Clark, making his pro debut. And super lightweight John Castro, 1-0, fights debuting Sergio Mamone. Both Castro and Gonzalez Secion scored wins last year on previous Rival Series cards.

AND BACK TO ALEXANDER

The reason Demetrius Alexander has not boxed since the premiere Rival Series card is because he has become a father. He and his wife Taylor have a son who just turned eight months old.

"Being a dad is amazing. I genuinely enjoy being a dad and when I get to look back with my son when he's older I'll get to tell him about my glory days a bit!" Alexander said.

Saturday night doors open at 6 p.m. The boxing matches start at 7 p.m. at the Golden Spike Exhibit Hall. Advance tickets are $85 for VIP, $95 at gate. Tables for eight are $1,000. Tickets can be obtained from boxers or from All Heart Gym,1968 N 2000 West, Farr West, UT, 84404. E-mail is allheartboxingshows@gmail.com.

To stream the boxing carrd on March 7th at 7 p.m. MST, use this link. The charge is $14.99.

-- Doug Gibson