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, Saldana among pros competing in Ogden boxing card June 21

 

Nearly three years ago, Salt Lake City's Julian Ruiz made his professional boxing debut a successful one. Middleweight Ruiz, (in above photo at left) scored a win over Najeeh Belcher. 

Ruiz has enjoyed a professional career in MMA, fighting on Professional Fighters League and Fierce Fighting Championship cards, compiling a pro record of 4-2, with a long amateur tenure.

But he's returning to the boxing ring Saturday June 21, in Ogden. At the Golden Spike Event Center, 1000 N, 1200 West, Ogden, Utah. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fights start at 7 p.m. Ruiz meets debuting William Wirthlin. There are eight bouts scheduled, all featuring prospects and scheduled for four rounds. It's the second fight card from All Heart Promotions. Promoter is Monica DeCarlo. Matchmaker is Jason DeCarlo.

As he returns to boxing, Ruiz told Utah Fight Game there are key differences between boxing and MMA. It can be tougher to throw boxing-quality punches in an MMA bout, he says. "What I mean by that is they get tired and don’t know how to set things up. Some can throw hard and are good punchers. But boxing is a lot more than that. Huge difference, two different sports. I always say you can train boxing getting ready for an MMA fight. But you can’t train MMA getting ready for a boxing match," adds Ruiz.

"There a lot more muscles and body parts involved. That’s why I like to take (boxing) matches because it sharpens your hands which are the most vital weapons you can have in MMA. "(There's)a lot of grappling, kicking, weight lifting. 

"The strength and conditioning is completely different. The timing is slightly different. The pace is not the same. MMA training camp is a lot more brutal, and makes the boxing seem like an active rest to be honest," adds Ruiz.

Also fighting on the card Saturday is Ogden's Jesus Saldana. The super-featherweight makes his pro debut against Mauro Angel Gutierrez, 0-1. Gutierrez lost a competitive decision earlier this year to Ogden's Isaiah Rodriquez, who is also fighting on the June 21 card.

Saldana (in photo below)  has been an amateur fighter for more than a decade. Utah Fight Game asked him if he has a long-term boxing goal, which he enthusiastically answered with a yes.

Saldana, who jusggles a career in real estate with the "sweet science," saw his opponent's fight earlier this year and with his trainers has a game plan he intends to follow. 

"My training schedule consists of a lot of running, 5-6 miles daily, and lots of sparring with the best boxers from Ogden to Salt Lake City. My love for boxing started 13 years ago when I first stepped foot inside a boxing gym (Marshall White). Some of my favorite boxers include Marvin Hagler, Manny Pacquiao, Julio Cesar Chavez and Erik Morales," said Saldana.

TRAINING

Ruiz is training hard for the bout. "Right now I have Gary Gomez and Sione Pouha as my head coaches. And I train with both pretty much every day, so I’ve been training twice a day. But I work and get help from others, guys that are close friends, even like family to me. Jalel Lopez, Joe Bish and Aaron Garcia have been helping me a lot."

Ruiz' main sparring partner is Isaiah "Chais" Velazco -- also fighting on the card -- but he also spars with boxers Jon Bryant and Aaron Garcia Jr.

"I got so much love for each one of these guys and I look up to each one of them, on top of that they know there stuff. That’s why this is an opportunity to really level up and elevate my game!" Ruiz adds. 

As for his opponent Wirthlin, Ruiz has trained with him in past and says he respects him.

OTHERS ON CARD

There are some intriguing matchups on the Ogden card. Shon Cross, trainer at Factum gym, makes his pro debut at age 33 in a light heavyweight bout. He meets Erik Lopez, 0-1. Also, an interesting heavyweight bout matches Bishop Le'i (3-0-1) versus Trevor Kotara, 4-4-1. 

Isaiah Velazco, debut, meets Dakota Highpine, 0-1, super welterweights; Emmanuel Aldair Gonzales Secion, debut, meet Cruz Guadalupe Carbajal, 0-4, super lightweights; Middleweight Bobby Tabile, 1-0, -- who won on an earlier card this year from All Heart Promotions, fights Jacob Diaz, 0-3. 

As mentioned, featherweight Ogden pro boxer Isaiah Rodriguez, 3-3, also fights Saturday. He meets Jeremiah Lozano, 0-3.

"We are ready for war. Training hard to make the fight easy," Rodriguez said.

Ruiz has shown lots of talent in the cage and ring. He's optimistic about a boxing future.

"I do see myself building my record and having a big super-fight down the road. And I would love to be back on for November (All Heart Promotions card), I already have an opponent in mind. But I have to play it by ear and just see how everything goes!"

Tickets can be bought on fight day or earlier by contacting boxers on card or visiting All Heart Boxing gym, 1968 N. 2000 West, in Farr City, Utah. The boxing event is titled Rival Series II.

-- Doug Gibson