Ogden hosts more pro boxing this weekend

 

Nearly nine months ago, super welterweights Bobby Tabile, then 1-0, and Eligio Hernandez Jr., then 1-1-, fought an exciting four-round match in Ogden, as part of the Rival Series III card.

In the photo above, Tabile (at right) lands a right hand against Hernandez, but Eligio had some good moments too. Tabile got the decision. This reporter described this fight as "a war" between two warriors. (Below both boxers embrace after the 2025 bout).

This Saturday night, June 13, at The Golden Spike Exhibit Hall at the Weber County Fairgrounds, the pair meet in a much-anticipated rematch at Rival Series V. Tabile is now 4-0, Hernandez 1-2. The card also features former amateur star turned featherweight pro Samuel Flores, of Ogden, 1-0, who meets Jesus Marin, of El Paso, Texas. Marin has never been knocked out and scored a TKO win in Rival Series' first promotion, in Syracuse, in early 2025. All seven bouts are scheduled for four rounds. The entire card is linked here.

Utah Fight Game interviewed Hernandez, who lives in Ogden, while training for his fight against Salt Lake City's Tabile. 

"Training has been going good. I try stay in the gym working as much as I can. I have had some good sparring in camp," Hernandez said, stressing things have been positive. 

We asked Eligio if he was considering any changes in strategy for bout two with Tabile. They also fought each other in the amateurs.

"As far as strategies, I honestly go with the flow," Hernandez said. "Everyone's got a plan until they get punched, you know. I just try to be prepared for it all. Bobby’s a good dance partner and we always have a good fight, so we’ll see how things go. it’s up to God in the end," Hernandez explained.

Hernandez shared observations on his future in professional boxing.

"I see myself doing this for a while longer; not really sure how much longer. I'd say five fights, I say 10, who really knows though. I just love the sport and I’m going to do it as long as my body lets me," Hernandez said.

REST OF BOUTS

An intriguing cruiserweight bout matches two well-known Salt Lake City area boxers. Shon Cross, 1-2, a notable trainer in Utah, fights debuting Zack Partridge, who has enjoyed success in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing.

Also, middleweights Darien Orvin, debuting, and William Wirthlin, 0-1, meet.

Salt Lake City super lightweight prospect Dillan Nguyen, 2-0-1, meets debuting Joshua Jose Rivas, of Elroy, Ariz.

Undefeated super lightweight Emmanuel Aldair Gonzalez Secion, 2-0, meets Zaden Clark, 0-2.

And debuting welterweight Jose Angel Mata meets Jeremiah Rodriguez, of Port Angeles, Wash.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Fights start at 7 p.m. There will be a pay per view option. The Golden Spike Exhibit Hall is at 1000 N, 1200 West, Ogden. Tickets can be obtained from boxers or from All Heart Gym, 1968 N 2000 West Farr West, UT 84404. Email: allheartboxingshows@gmail.com.

- Utah Fight Game

 

A lively night of amateur boxing at Foley's gym

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On October 25th in Ogden, Utah, Foley's gym hosted an amateur fight card. The gym was packed and fans enjoyed 23 bouts, two bouts were walkovers. There are many locations in Utah that host great amateur cards. However, Utah Fight Game was there so here is a list of winners: (Above are photos of the 170-pound bout between Austin Gussie (Foley's gym) and Luis Torres (Fight City. Below are photos of a bout between 180-pounders Luciano Salazar (Foley's gym) and Scott Roberts (Fullmer's). Gussie has a white shirt and Salazar has red trunks).

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So on with the results:

147 pounds: Ben Zimmerman (Die Standing) decisioned AJ Karali (Louis Boxing)

90 pounds: Joseph Gomez (Gomez KO Boxing) won via walkover

70 pounds: Marcelo Renteria (Razor's Edge) won via walkover

125 pounds: Johnny Gonzalez (Foley's gym) decisioned Korban Green (Southern Utah Boxing)

110 pounds: Eli Preciado (FADN Boxing) decisioned Gasper Gerrero (DEORUM)

135 pounds: Jourdan Gonzalez (Razor's Edge) decisioned David Gonzalez (Foley's gym)

130 pounds: Ryan Cervantes (Deorum) decisioned Christopher Nova (City Center)

162 pounds: Brendan Rochet (Foley's gym) defeated Aaron Lugo (Independent)

112 pounds: Giovani Lopez (Deorum) decisioned Miguel Baristain (Los Gallitos)

135 pounds: Parker Preator (Foley's gym) decisioned Alexi Jimenez (Roots Boxing)

100 pounds: Julian Garcia (Boxfit) defeated Jayden Mirada (Palafox)

180 pounds: Luciano Salazar (Foley's gym) decisioned Scott Roberts (Fullmer's')

180 pounds: Alan Revolorio (Razor's Edge) defeated Alfonso Chavez (Tafoya's)

170 pounds: Austin Gussie (Foley's gym) decisioned Luis Torres (Fight City)

135 pounds: Eli Tinney (Legends Cache Valley) defeated Dujon Sharrer (Foley's gym)

130 pounds: Salvador Rosales (City Center) defeated defeated Dylan Benites (Deorum)0

125 pounds: Alan Gallegos (Deorum) defeated Damien Murdock (Foley's gym). (NOTE: UTAH FIGHT GAME considered this bout "the fight of the night.")

145 pounds: (women's bout) Abby Ferrell (Legends) defeated Dawson Harvey (Legends Cache Valley)

155 pounds: Cesar Garcia (Palafox) defeated Ben Gill (Foley's gym)

155 pounds: Dylan Endo (Fight City) defeated Jordan Weiler (Foley's gym)

110 pounds: Emmanuel Soria (Palafox) defeated Edgar Praciado (FADN Boxing)

185 pounds: Abe Maldonado (Foley's gym) decisioned Cameron Jeppson (Legends Cache Valley)

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Utah Fight Game missed the final three bouts: 135 pounds: Daniel Star (Gomez KO Boxing) versus Luis Fernando Rios (Fight City); 147 pounds: Juan Maya (Los Gallitos) versus Andrew Christiansen (Gomez KO Boxing); and 170 pounds: Tristan Pinot (Fight City) versus Tristan Carreon (Legends). We will add those results when obtained. We have reached out to the promotion.

Dave Foley hosted and matched the card to a full house. USA Boxing Utah officiated. Pat Nielsen was the announcer. Names of boxers are as listed on card below.

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Avelos, Tabile, Gutierrez among winners at Ogden boxing card

 

It was a good night for pro boxing in Ogden, Utah, on Friday September 26 as five of six bouts at Rival Series 3 (All Heart Promotions) were competitive fights that went the distance. 

It wasn't the main event, but it can be argued that a bout the large crowd at The Golden Spike Event Center enjoyed the most was a four-round junior middleweight fight between Northern Utahns -- and former amateur rivals -- Bobby Tabile and Eligio Hernandez Jr. (In the photo above Tabile is seen landing a right hand). To use a cliche, the fight was a war, particularly in the second and fourth rounds.

Tabile, 2-0, took a unanimous decision over his rival, 1-2. However, both fighters landed a lot of leather and had their moments. After Tabile took the first round, Hernandez rebounded to win the second. As mentioned, both fighters scored well but the difference was Tabile's punches were straighter, often landing in between Hernandez's more wider shots. Tabile, who had cruised through his first two fights, passed a tough test tonight, beating a fighter whose gone the distance in all his fights. Hernandez looked much improved from an earlier decision win this year over Jacob Diaz. Scores were 40-36, and 39-37 twice. Utah Fight Game scored it 39-37 for the winner. A six-round rematch woud be interesting. (More photos of fight are below)

AVELOS DEFEATS ANTONIO CERVANTES

Speaking of six round fights, the two co-mains were slated for that distance. In the main bout, Carson City, Nev., lightweight Christian Avelos (see above at left) scored a narrow unanimous decision over Northern Utah boxer Dyllon Antonio Cervantes. It was a match between the boxer (Avelos) and the aggresive, moving forward, slugging Antonio Cervantes.

It was a close fight with Antonio Cervantes wearing down Avelos and stunning him with a left hook in the sixth round. However, there were too many instances of the boxer Avelos, who had an excellent left jab, counterpunching strongly, landing several punches in a row. The three judges scored the bout 58-56. Utah Fight Game scored it 58-57 for the winner, now 4-3-2. Antonio Cervantes falls to 4-7-1.

HEAVYWEIGHTS LE'I AND BLASKO FIGHT TO A DRAW

In the photo above, heavweights Bishop Le'i (ar right) and Jacob Blasko react to learning they've fought a six round draw. It was an entertaining scrap. One judge scored it 58-56 Blasko; another 59-55 Le'i, and the third with a 57-57 tally. Le'i (3-0-1) and Blasko (2-2-1) fought four years ago, with Le'i scoring a 4th round TKO.

Blasko scored often but Le'i used body shots to his advantage early and later scored shots upstairs too. We mean no disrespect to Mr. Blasko, who fought well, but Utah Fight Game scored the bout 60-55 for Le'i, who seemed to have a slight edge throughout. (More photos below).

MAURO GUTIERREZ SCORES SECOND STRAIGHT WIN

Logan junior lightweight Mauro Gutierrez is proving too tough for debut fighters. Gutierrez (seen above at left) scored a unanimous four-round decision over Rene Mendoza. Gutierrez, who scored a narrower win over debuting Jesus Saldano in June, dominated a game Mendoza the entire fight, scoring a knockdown in round three. Gutierrez, 2-1, was just too experienced, with strong ring generalship. The judges scored the bout 40-35, as did Utah Fight Game.

IN OTHER BOUTS ...

Light heavyweight -- and local trainer -- Shon Cross, 1-1, lost a unanimous decision to Daniel Castro, 3-1, who had not fought for eight years. Castro looked slightly out of shape, but he was aggressive early and constantly landed hard body shots to Cross, whose aggression was not often effective. Castro tired the last two rounds. Utah Fight Game had Castro winning a close bout 39-38. The judges scored it 40-36 twice, and 39-37 for the winner.

The opening bout ended quickly as debuting superwelterweight John Castro stopped Jacob Diaz, 0-5, in the first round. Castro got Diaz in the corner and repeatedly landed left uppercuts until the bout was stopped. Diaz has fought on the three Rival Series cards this year. He's a personable, fit athlete. However, this is his second straight early loss and he might benefit from taking a rest to recuperate and possibly come back to the ring next year.

Attending the fight card was undefeated pro bantamweight Aaron Maximus Garcia, 8-0. The Payson, Utah boxer, a former National Golden Gloves champion, was interviewed by ring announcer Destiny McCubbin. The card was streamed online. Charles Presnell, of The Fight Chatter podcast and Substack page, provided, along with others, commentary.

-- Doug Gibson, at ringside.

Le'i, Cross and Tabile among boxers at Rival Series card in Ogden on Sept. 26

 

On Sept. 26, Friday night in Ogden, Utah, at The Golden Spike Event Center, in Ogden's Weber County Fairgrounds. Six pro bouts are scheduled in Rival Series 3, from Weber County's All Hearts Promotions, Monica DeCarlo promoter, Jason DeCarlo matchmaker.

The location is 1000 N, 1200 West. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fights begin at 7 p.m.

The main event, a six-rounder, matches two Northern Utah heavyweights, Bishop Le'i, 3-0-1 against Jacob Blasko, 2-2.

The co-main event, also six rounds, matches Salt Lake City lightweight Dyllon Cervantes Alvarado, 4-6-1 against Christian Avalos, 3-3, from Carson City, Nevada. Cervantes Alvarado fought on the first Rival Series card in February, winning a decision.

In a four-round middleweight bout, debuting John Castro meets Jacob Diaz, 0-4. This will be Diaz's third Rival series bout.

Super featherweight Mauro Angel Gutierrez, 1-1, meets debuting Rene Mendoza in a four-round fight. Angel Gutierrez fought on both Rival series this year, losing a decision to Isiah Rodriguez and winning a decision over Jesus Saldano.

In a four-rounder, middleweight Bobby Tabile, 2-0, meets Eligio Hernandez Jr., 1-1. This is Tabile's third Rival Series fight and Hernandez Jr.'s second with Rival Series. They both have fought the aforementioned Jacob Diaz. Hernandez Jr. won a decision and Tabile won by second round TKO. 

In another four-rounder, Salt Lake City boxing trainer Shon Cross (seen in the photo above in his winning fight in June with Rival Series with Erik Lopez) looks to go 2-0 against Daniel Castro, 2-1. They are light heavyweights.

Tickets can be obtained at the gate but also by contacting All Heart gym at 1968 West 2000 North, Farr West, Utah. The promotion also has a Facebook page. Also, tickets can be purchased by contacting boxers. All Heart can be reached at (801) 389-3700 and via email at allheartboxingshows@gmail.com.

There will also be a stream of the card. Former pro boxer Charles Presnell, of The Fight Chatter, which includes a Substack page, a YouTube video page, and a podcast, will be providing color commentary.

"I am very excited and a little nervous for this opportunity. It is new for me, however, I am always looking for ways to grow," Presnell said.

Presnell, who lives in Brigham City, regularly attends boxing and MMA cards, including every Rival Series card.

"The two color commentators I admire most Ferdie Pacheco and George Foreman. I always enjoyed their ability to mix in knowledge and experiences into the action going on in the ring," he said.

-- Doug Gibson

Ruiz, Owens, Silva among winners at Fierce Fighting MMA card

 

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Julian Ruiz, Ha'va Owens and Hannah Silva were among winners at the Fierce Fighting Challenger Series MMA card in Ogden on Matrch 23.

Before a large crowd that filled the Bonneville High School gymnasium, Ruiz, a 4-0 pro featherweight, wore down Desmond Manabat, 3-5, earning a TKO win by strikes in the first round.

The co-main pro bout matched two young veteran welterweights, Ogden's Ha'va Owens and Stephen Stirewalt. Owens, 4-4, (see bout photo below) dominated all three rounds, punishing a game Stirewalt, 4-6, the entire bout. Scores were 30-27 and two calls of 30-26.

The rest of the bouts matched amateurs. In the top amateur bout, Brendon Meyers, 4-2, caught Jordan Munoz, 3-8, with a triangle choke, bringing an early end to the flyweight bout.

In the co-main amateur, St. George's Hannah Silva, 5-3 (see photo above of Silva's cage walk in) used a strong ground game to wear down Hailey Hoard, 3-6. The bout was stopped in round 2.

In perhaps the most competitive bout of the night, between lightweights, Sidney Blackwood, 3-1, took a narrow 28-27 unanimous decision over Brenden Ferreira, 2-3. Blackwood controlled rounds one and three on the ground. Ferreira took round two, fought mostly boxing style. (see bout photo below article)

In a welterweight bout, one punch abruptly ended a competive match, with RJ Wilgar, 3-1, KOing Nick Jackson, 1-2, in round one. Welterweight Spencer Hansen, 1-1, submitted Arjhan Jahromi, 0-2, in round one. In a lightweight bout, Austin Munoz, 2-0, stopped Isaac Allen, 1-1, in round 2.

Also, a competitive bout between welterweights Austin Cardon, 1-0, and Skyler Burnasconi, 1-1, ended dramatically in round 2 when a right hand from Cardon dropped Burnasconi, who remained on the cage floor for several minutes. In a bout between debuting welterweights, Nico Suescon submitted Michael Trunzo in round one.

In two amateur kickboxing bouts, welterweight Brandon Ramirez stopped Tyler Harris in round two. Both were debuting. And in a women's catchweight 120-pound bout, Makia August, 1-1, used ring generalship to score a unanimous decision over debuting Mallori Melling.

The card was well promoted, with fights starting soon after the 5 pm announced time. The night was finished by 9 p.m. Fighters names and records were provided by promotional program.

-- Doug Gibson, at the fights.

Utah's Lamar Clark went from 44 straight knockouts to being KO'd by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)

Ever heard of heavyweight boxer Lamar Clark, of Utah? Probably not, but 60 plus years ago Clark, born in Cedar City, Utah, was briefly a hot commodity in the sport. The heavyweight, who fought mostly in Northern Utah, including Ogden, scored 44 consecutive knockouts, including six in one night! Not all the KOs were sanctioned, although most likely shouldn't have been as Clark, after scoring a decision win in his first bout, fought a long array of novice fighters whom he destroyed. His official record was 43-3 with 42 KOs. He was managed by Marv Jenson, who helmed world middleweight champ, Gene Fullmer, and his brother, contender Don Fullmer. I often wonder why Jenson allowed Clark to fatten his record with nop-hopers, but perhaps Jenson knew Clark was overhyped and wanted to give him a big payday. The great Jack Dempsey is in the above photo with Clark.

Unfortunately, the Clark hype ended at 42-0 at Weber High School, in Ogden, on April 8, 1960. In a nationally televised bout, designed to introduce Clark to the nation, the undefeated was stopped in the ninth round by New York City's Bartoli Soni, 12-2-1, a prospect who had just lost in Madison Square Garden. Clark started well but ran out of gas late. 

A couple of months later Clark, seeking to rebound, invited former Olympics heavyweight champion Pete Rademacher, who had unwisely challenged current heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson in his pro debut. The battering Rademacher received affected his entire career, and he faced the 42-1 Clark with a shaky 6-3-1 record. It was a rare easy bout for Rademacher as he battered the way overrated Utah slugger around the ring, flooring him early toying with Clark through the bout before stopping him late in the final round 10. (Photo and article on the fight is below)

At this point, most boxing observers gave up on Clark. To his credit, though, Lamar attempted a comeback, scoring a KO win in Las Vegas in March 1961. In April 1961, Clark traveled to Louisville, Ky., to face Olympics champion turned young pro Cassius Clay, who would later of course change his name to Muhammad Ali, perhaps the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. 

It was a dreadful mismatch, Clay, 5-0, stopped Clark 97 seconds into the second round. YouTube claims to have a partial recording of the bout, but I'm skeptical it is Clay versus Clark. The broadcast claims there is a fourth round. However, that could be a video typo. In the fight, "Clark" seems game but is hopelessly overmatch. In the comments, a Dave C says he knew Clark in the late 80s and describes the retired boxer as "a cheerful, kind man who spoke highly of Ali."

Clark retired after the Ali bout. There was talk of him moving to light heavyweight to compete but that never occurred. He died at at age 72 in 2006 in South Jordan, UT. 

Enjoy this montage of newspaper clippings, courtesy of NewspaperArchives.com, of Clark's career. Three, of course, are placed above. The Utah Fight Game blog hopes to do a series of prominent Utah boxers periodically over the next year. 

 

Amateur boxers tussle in Ogden and Idaho

On Saturday, October 20, at Foley's gym in Ogden, local amateurs competed in a fight that also tagged the gym's 10th anniversary at its current location, 375 31st Street. Brad Davidson was the announcer. Seen above is a bout between 55-pounders James Rutherford, KC Boxing (at left), and Celtic Wright, Foley's gym. Rutherford won a decision.

IN OTHER BOUTS:

Elexies Willett, Palifox Boxing, decisioned Kayden Armstrong, Rodriguez Boxing, 56 pounds

(Seen above) Collin Tolikuva, Provo, (in red) decisioned Elijah Willett, Palifox, 100 pounds. Both fighters have now fought each other several times, all competitive bouts.

Damin Webielhouse, KC Boxing, decisioned James Cox, Horizonte, 65 pounds

Juan Maya, Palifox, decisioned Shane Saunders, PAL, 72 pounds

(Seen above) Joe Gibson, Foley's gym, (in red trunks) decisioned Holden Atwood, Legend's Boxing, 100 pounds

Sami Daybell, Foley's defeated Dulcy Burcham, Rodriguez Boxing, via 3rd round TKO, 119 pounds

Atahuaipa Anarve, Horizonte, decisioned Edgar Tarce, All Heart, 142 pounds

Aamon Hardi, Factum, decisioned Ian Lowry, Destination MMA, 147 pounds

Rene Mendoza, Louie's Boxing, decisioned Giani Madrid, State Street, 128 pounds

Renzo Conti, Foley's decisioned Hayden Magana, Destination MMA, 165 pounds

Kernal Rehobsen, Cache Valley Boxing, decisioned Chris Kennedy, Destination MMA 185 pounds

AND ...

that same day, some Utah amateur boxers scored wins in a card in Twin Falls, Idaho. Winners included Adrian Gamino and Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves champ Jon Bryant, who won a belt match. Other winners included Aliyah Garcia, Geovanni Rodriguez, and Eligio Hernandez Jr.

We honor the life of Pat Reeves, MMA professional

Pat Reeves died this week, and his death saddened a lot of us. He was the heart and soul of the fight game community here for more than a decade. I was not nearly as close a friend as many others, but every time I saw Pat, we talked a spell, whether at Foley’s gym or at the fights. I interviewed him often, whether for the blog or the Standard-Examiner. I admired the guy, not only for his fighting skill and passion, but for his desire to share his skills with others, to teach and be a mentor. Besides training at Foley's, Pat was also a member of the Assassins fight team. 

I love the above photo of Pat. It reminds of the first time I saw him fight. He took on tough opponent, Drayton Woods, from southern Utah who went on the attack on Pat. From the ground, Pat weathered the storm and maneuvered his foe into a triangle choke. The guy fought it hard, but he succumbed. Pat’s joy and love of MMA is captured in that photo. We ran that photo, or one similar, in the Standard-Examiner, in our recap of the card.

Pat never ducked a fight – he even had a couple pro boxing matches -- and he had bravado. A year after the first fight I mention he was on a card at Raptors field in Ogden, against a contemporary named Gabe Francis. Pat dared him to hit his face. Gabe obliged him. The punches did little to stem Pat’s enthusiasm but unfortunately they drew a lot of blood, forcing a doctor’s stoppage. (18 months later, Pat got another shot at Francis, and this time he won in the first round, via a triangle choke).

Pat won a regional belt in 2013, traveling to Vernal and beating the very tough Daniel Stratton to take the Rocky Mountain Fight Championships title. He won in round 4, a championship round, by – you guessed it – a triangle choke. Pat’s lean, tall, rangy physique was ideal for the triangle choke. I wasn’t at that bout, but I interviewed Pat at Foley’s gym a few days later. He was wearing his belt. I wish I could find the photo I took of him with the belt. He took a lot of deserved pride in that win. He defended the belt successfully once before losing it in the cage.

I got to see Pat’s final two wins, and his last fight, a loss to a world-class fighter, fellow Ogden colleague Steven Siler. Pat was a well-established pro who fought not only the best regional opponents, but the elite too. Besides Siler, he also tangled, and acquitted himself well, against Lance Palmer, in Orem a few years ago.

One time, several years ago when we were chatting at Foley’s gym, Pat told me he wanted to do something to help others, to use some of the blessings he had received to give others a boost. I believe Pat achieved this goal the past couple of years with “The Pack,” a group of MMA fighters that he trained and trained with at Foley’s. Until very recently, “The Pack” was a fixture of fighters working hard at Foley’s. Until the day I die I will treasure the memories of Pat working with these MMA hopefuls in the cage, patiently sharing his wisdom with them, watching sparring, sparring with them, going over the mechanics of the sport, patiently improving their skills. Eric Munoz, who recently retired, is just one example of an MMA hopeful that, through Pat’s guidance, moved from MMA novice to respected, talented amateur veteran who earned a regional belt.

It’s going to be very hard to go to Foley’s gym and not see Pat there. When I learned of his death Monday, I moved away from my work desk, and found a place to shed some tears. We won’t forget Pat, and not forgetting will include taking some harsh lessons from his untimely death and helping others who will face some of the challenges that overwhelmed Pat in his final days.

Right now, we honor our friend. Here’s a link to Pat’s obituary. On Sunday at 1 p.m. a celebration of his life will be held at Foley’s gym in Ogden, 375 31st Street, an appropriate spot to honor Pat because he honored so many of us there, and at other gyms and arenas. Also, Friday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Foley's will host a night dedicated to Pat with some martial arts instruction (Bang Muy Thai courtesy of Jarrett Kelton), some grappling and a silent auction, all to remember Pat and help his young family. Admission is free.

-- Doug Gibson

Here's Pat's Tapology page.

Here's a photo essay the Standard-Examiner published prior to Pat's final bout.

Here's a Go Fund Me page to help with Pat's funeral expenses.