At today's weigh-ins our very own Colorado Boxing Commissioner, Josef Mason, drew the name of our winner and back-ups.  The winner of 2 tickets to tomorrow's show is screen name, Mike or Bronco Mike.  Please contact me by 8pm to make arrangements to get the tickets. 

Contact RockyMountainBoxing.com

Read Ty Thompson's editorial article on Denver Fight News.com, Register at the Fight Fans Forum, Post your thoughts about Thompson's article and you will be entered into the drawing for 2 tickets to Sunday's card featuring Donald '2-Slick-2-Quick' Camarena vs New Mexico's Bad Boy, Tommy 'The Cobra' Aragon!  The drawing will be held at tomorrow's weigh-ins, but you don't need to be present to win.    All current members will be automatically entered into the contest unless you let me know otherwise*.  Become a member of RMB's Fight Fans Forum.  Believe me membership will have it's privileges and free fight tickets is just the beginning!  Good luck to all!

Click here to register at the Fight Fans Forum

*Please ask that you not be entered in the drawing, if you cannot use the tickets.

I wrote my article but I will need to edit and revise it, as it just doesn't fit into what I really want to do to help boxing in Colorado.  Instead I will stay positive and focus on some great up coming fights.  Thanks for the advice Robert.

If you care about boxing here in Colorado you must stand-up.  Now is the time to show everyone that this boxing community can show unity, despite jealousy, negativity and hatred..  Ty Thompson, who recently began writing for Denver Fight News, penned his 'casual boxing fan's perspective' this week about the Monday Night Fight card.  I encourage everyone to read the article and give your thoughts about it on the Fight Fans Forum.  I have had to wait a day or so to cool off before writing my thoughts on it.   If you are not offended by the 'dissing' he gives the show and especially the fighters, then you must have the same level of respect for boxing and boxers that he has, zero.  My article will be posted fresh tomorrow morning and believe me, the cat will be outta the bag as I plan to put the entire crew on Front Street, regardless of consequences.  You want an inside look at the dirt of the local boxing scene, stay tuned.

Here is a link to the article

Post Your Thoughts on the Fight Fans Forum

Photos by Marco

Last night at the Grizzly Rose, Terri "Lil' Loca" Cruz showed why she is ranked #5 in the world.  She worked behind a solid jab and dominated Susan "Hurricane" Nance over eight rounds.  You have to credit Nance, as she took some very hard shots and never gave up.  Cruz used a basic double jab and right hand to take over the fight early.  By the third round Cruz had Nance worried about every feint she used and started leading her into big right hands.  Nance was very stiff and mechanical but did manage to land some punches throughout the bout.  Cruz ended the bout with her hardest shot of night, landing an overhand right at the bell that nearly knocked Nance down.  It was good for Cruz to get the rounds in and know that she can go eight, as this was her first eight rounder.  RMB scored it 80-72 a shut out for Cruz as did all three judges.   Hopefully within the year Cruz can land a title shot as she seems to be nearly ready for it.

In the co-main Ayo Fadeyi basically did just enough to win the rounds and nothing more, in my opinion.  Barry Basler was outgunned and outclassed by Fadeyi but was able to show true grit in hanging in for 6 hard rounds and making the bout competitive.  I felt Fadeyi could have stopped Basler, had he really tried.  Unfortunately he was content to win the rounds and a lopsided decision.  Early on Fadeyi used his jab to the body and head to set up his overhand right and uppercut.  He went to the body often despite two legit warnings for low blows.  Referee Stephen Blea is beginning to come into his own in the ring.  He did a great job of keeping what could have become an ugly fight, under full control.  Despite having Basler in trouble on several occasions, even scoring a knockdown at the end,  Fadeyi was unable to finish the job and settled for the decision.  RMB scored it 59-55 or 4-1-1 in rounds.  Kugler and Short saw it 59-54 and Waldman had a shut-out at 60-53.  I would love to see Fadeyi develop the "killer instinct" as he has the skills to put it to use.

The fight I most anticipated did not disappoint as Stevie Marquez took his counter-punching time in taking out James Martinez in the second.  In the first, Martinez came looking to establish the jab while Marquez sat back landing hard counter-punches.  At the end of the first Marquez rattles Martinez with a counter left hook, followed by a straight right.  In the second, Marquez opens up and lands a hard 1-2 that sends Martinez reeling into the ropes where Marquez unloads a  flurry of punches prompting Ed Walsh to stop the bout.  Marquez looked sharp.  In talking with Marquez' father after the bout he told me that it was originally a 4 rounder but with one bout falling out they asked the boxers if the were prepared to go six.  Martinez said he was ready for eight.  Marquez on the other hand said "doesn't matter, I'm only going 2!"  Helluva prediction there buddy!  Also I must make a correction as I wrote that Marquez had been inactive for a year and half.  Not so as he has been fighting regularly with his last bout being in February, a KO victory over New Mexico's Colbert Losoya.  I can't wait for the other Marquez, Ernest to make his pro debut, as he has a lot of skills as well.

In the opening bout pro debuter Che Velarde got a hard welcome to the professional ranks.  After dominating the first round with movement and the jab a lapse in concentration near the end of the round nearly cost him the fight.  Derrick Byrd tried all round to land that one big punch and eventually did at the 10 second mark.  A straight right to the belly and a left hook to the jaw literally took Velarde off his feet and to the canvas.  He got up quickly and shook it off as the bell rang.  In the second, Velarde looked very cautious and tentative until landing a perfect, and I mean picture perfect (see video to come), right hand to Byrd's jaw.  I was very surprised that Byrd beat the count.  It was a matter of time as Velarde finished up shortly there after with another right hand.  The bout was stopped at 2:38 of the second round, officially.  Velarde showed some promise in his debut and with time and experience he could do well for himself.  Byrd has a HUGE right hand but doesn't have the stamina to take his time and set up the shot.  Note to everyone in boxing:  Get into shape!

There was also an exhibition bout as 2 opponents (Phil Gurule & Robert Manore) choose not to take on the improving Rob Frankel,  shaming themselves in the process.  If you sign to fight, damn it show up and fight.  Frankel did manage to get in some good work with veteran Art Cruz over four rounds.

This was also the "pro debut" for MoonLight Productions as a fight promoter and I must say I was very impressed.  I don't know about you, but I have never been perfect at anything the first time around.  There were some oversights and mistakes made but believe me, MoonLight Production's promotion will improve.  As for the fights, they are exactly what I like to see at local club level shows.   Very competitive and well matched bouts, courtesy of one fine matchmaker in Steve Maestas, in which the fighters give their blood, sweat and tears.  Anyone who has ever stepped through those ropes knows exactly where I'm coming from.  Those who haven't may never know.  I, for one, will be anticipating their sophomore effort, with baited breath.

Click here for the photogallery

Unfortunately I didn't have my 'good' borrowed camera so the pictures are not too great.

Pictures by Inside Boxing

MoonLight Productions brings you Monday Night Fights at the Grizzly Rose.  The main event will feature Terri "Lil' Loca" Cruz taking on Susan "The Hurricane" Nance.  Cruz is currently ranked #5 in the world and will look to position herself for a title shot against IFBA Champ Kelsey Jeffries who is 25-8.  Nance comes in as a replacement for Carla Wilcox and will look to turn things around having lost her last bout after getting into the win column in her outing before.

The co-main will pit local up and comer Ayo Fadeyi against trial horse Barry Basler.  Fadeyi will look to keep his momentum rolling, having won his last 3 by knock-out and winning 5 of his last 7 bouts including a draw.  The loss coming on a decision to  John McKinney.  Basler will try to be another 'bump in the road' for Fadeyi.

In the heavyweight division, Che Velarde will make his professional debut against Derrick Byrd, who lost his pro debut to Kenny Lemos.  Velarde is being guided into the professional ranks by outstanding local trainer, Aurelio Martinez.  Look for Velarde to be quick and elusive with tight defense as these are some of Martinez' finer points of teaching.  Byrd represents Team Impact of Grand Junction and will look to get back to .500 with a win.

The best bout of the card could be Stevie Marquez against James Martinez of New Mexico.  Marquez is coming off a year's layoff after stopping Danny Almanzar in September of 2002.  He is trying to get back on track and stay busy.  Martinez will at least get a fight this time around.  He was scheduled to face James Neelan last month in a kickboxing bout at the Mountain-Hi Casino, when Neelan disappeared, shaming himself rather than fighting.  Martinez is an accomplished Muay Thai fighter with bouts upcoming in Taiwan and Switzerland.  He says boxing helps to "keep me in shape for Muay Thai."  I think this one will be fireworks.

Also on the card, in an exhibition, Rob Frankel will go 'round with Art Cruz.  Frankel looked much improved in his last bout and will look to keep it up against the tought vet, Cruz.

The Grizzly Rose is located at 58th and I-25 on the east side of the highway.  The doors open at 6pm with fights to start at 7pm.  For tickets call C.C. Edwards at 303-760-9982.

Terri 'Lil' Loca' Cruz (122.6) vs Susan 'Hurricane' Nance (119.6)

Ayo Fadeyi (176.0) vs Barry Basler (180.0)

Che Velarde (222.2) vs Derrick Byrd (252.4)

Steve Marquez (150.6) vs James Martinez (153.6)

Rob Frankel (150.6) vs Art Cruz (155.8)---Exhibition only.  Phil Gurule was a no show as was replacement Robert Manore

Terri "Lil' Loca" Cruz, who is ranked #5 in the world by the IFBA, will be taking on Susan Nance of Tennessee in the main event at the Grizzly Rose on Monday, March 15th.  The co-main will feature Ayo Fadeyi facing trial horse Barry Basler.  The undercard will include Steve Marquez vs James Martinez, Robert Manore vs Phil Gurule and pro debuter Che Velarde against Derrick Byrd.  Call 303-295-2353 or 303-725-6216 for ticket information.

Whats up, Andrew the Wigsplitter here.........first of all we at Airtight Boxing would like to thank everyone who made it out to our event Friday night, I am very proud of all fighters especially the H.O.P. for all the wins across the board......and Smooth's fight finishing uppercut....what a treat to watch.  Me and my opponent Leo Pavlushkin would both like to apologize to those who may have come to see the n.h.b. exhibition we were supposed to do, but because of circumstances beyond our control the commission didn't let it happen, again I'm sorry and it will happen soon because of the calls we got and the buzz circulating, its too fun of a match not to happen.  I had the opportunity to be in close contact and hang out with Leo "The Russian Assassin" and he is a class act and turned into my closest friend and ally in trying to make the match happen..........one of the nicest guys in the world, but most of all Steve, Bobby, Travis, myself and the rest of the airtight crew again would like to thank all of YOU for just showing up and making our night a success and helping the fight scene grow and prosper. sincerely......Andrew C Solano

By Darren Nichols from BoxingTalk.net

(used with full permission)

After dropping a ten round unanimous decision to Kassim Ouma two and a half years ago, Verno Phillips refocused his boxing career and began to steadily climb back up the junior middleweight ladder with five consecutive wins. Last night at the Pala Casino Resort & Spa near San Diego, California, Phillips came prepared to collect his sixth straight win as he took on the hard-hitting and usually rugged Julio “The Cuban Lover” Garcia in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Garcia was supposed to be Phillip’s toughest fight since his loss to Ouma, but The Cuban Lover was no match for Phillip’s powerful and accurate shots in the ring, making all in attendance question whether Garcia’s eighth round knockout loss to JC Candelo last July took more out of him than previously thought.


The fight opened with Phillips landing a right hook to Garcia’s head, and for virtually the next three minutes, Phillips used his money shot to punish the Cuban Lover from the waist up. Phillips was able to land many of his jabs at will as Garcia tried in vain to avoid his opponent’s assault. The Cuban Lover did land some aggressive punches of his own, but Phillips’ punches were cleaner and much more damaging. Within the first minute of round one, Phillips found Garcia’s chin with a left upper cut that was followed by a right hook to Garcia’s head which put him down for the first time in the fight.


Eight seconds later, the Cuban Lover confronted Phillips again and this time Garcia received two consecutive right hooks - one with a left hook chaser - to his already sore head, putting him down for the second time in round one. After this, The Cuban Lover simply could not get his shots off against Phillips and having lost most of his legs after two knockdowns, a stiff breeze would have been enough to put Garcia on the canvas again. Despite his obvious inability to land clean shots to Phillips, Garcia never gave up the fight. At times, it appeared that Garcia might send himself reeling onto his back from the sheer momentum of the punches he was desperately throwing as he tried to hold Phillips at bay. With only a few seconds left in the round, Phillips landed an overhand right to the head of Garcia which forced him against the ropes. That shot was apparently the nail in the coffin for the Cuban Lover as referee Jack Reiss stepped in at 2:59 in round one to rescue Garcia from the lack of love Phillips was showing him. Phillips continues to improve to 37-8-1 (19) as Garcia falls again to 25-3-2 (11).

Photos (C) Ron & Paul Gallegos
Boxingtalk.com

Used with full permission

See More of Pauls Photos Here

See More of Ron Gallegos Photos Here

Photos by Scribe76

Steve Maestas and Airtight Boxing billed the card as 'Unfinished Business'.  Well it's now finished and finished fast.  The card had 7 bouts scheduled.  We saw 2 fights go the distance while the other 5 went just over 5 total rounds, 15:15 to be exact.  The main event was supposed to be a 'rust shakin' party for "Smooth" Anthony Mora who was in with journeyman Julian Romero.  Unfortunately the party was over before it started as it ended on the first meaningful punch of the bout, a perfectly timed uppercut which landed flush under Romero's chin at 1:15 of the first.  I can't even shake the shower water off in a minute fifteen, so Mora really wasn't able to shake anything but Romero's jaw.  Mora came to the ring with a good layer of sweat, looking ready and focused.  He started the fight running across the ring to meet Romero in his corner, with a triple jab, head-body-head.  He landed the jab at will.  Then  he threw a double jab followed by an precision uppercut that sent Romero to his back.  Referee Stephen Blea waived it off at 1:44.  Hopefully Mora can now stay busy and land a meaningful bout.  He needs the activity as well as the step up in competition to test his skills. 

The co-main had Corey Alarcon taking on Eric Trujillo.  Having seen Alarcon fight on ESPN in pretty exciting fights I thought this one would be action packed as well.  It was,  well it was just plain boring.  Although both men weighed in at 133 lbs they fought like slow heavyweights, two punches and then a clinch.  I felt like Alarcon was basically doing enough to win the rounds and nothing more.  I definitely felt cheated by Alarcon's poor  performance.  I had previously thought that a bout with Hector "The Chin Checka" Saez would be a good competitive bout.  If this version of Alarcon showed up for that fight, I feel he would be stopped, early.

The bout and boxer I was most impressed with on this card was Rob Frankel.  The last time I saw Frankel he fought Eloy Varos and he looked very raw, getting caught by wide and looping punches.  Tonight, he looked like he has learned some real boxing bolts.  The basics.  Regardless of the fact that it  was against the very limited Tom Lowdy, he has made some real improvements to his game.  He used a good solid jab to set up a nice, straight right hand that sent Lowdy to the canvas in the first.  He landed the 1-2 easily and often in the first.  He then used a good lead right and left hook in the second opening up.  I thought that he would get the win by KO but he just didn't have enough left to finish him.  RMB scored it 40-35.  He still has a lot to learn, he continually dropped his right hand before throwing it, but the noticeable improvement is always a step in the right direction.

Angela Poe blew out Megan Roberts in :36.  Eloy Varos*(correction, Eloy Lucero, thanx man) quit on the stool after the first round, which I actually scored for him as Tyler Pogline looked use it for 'feeling out'.  My father always told me 'an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.'  I honestly feel Varos came for a payday he didn't earn.  He complained to his corner about a low blow, which I never saw and he should be suspended indefinitely. The opening bout was an exhibition between Miguel Pasillas and Telesfor Martinez.  Pasillas showed some skills landing his 1-2 and double right hands, which he knocked Martinez out with at :44 of the second.

Art Cruz made his return to the ring and was able to shake off some rust against Tyree Tidwell.  Cruz, who said he had limited training time, didn't look excessively out of shape at 154, but will need to get down to 140 or so and sharpen up to previous form if he wants to compete with the new crop of fighters in Colorado.  He did warm up in the third and began catching Tidwell with some good shots to get the stoppage.  I last saw him fight Andres Pacheco on short notice and he gave a hell of a performance for nine rounds before the much bigger Pacheco eventually stopped him.  That's the Cruz he has to get back to.  Terri "Lil' Loca" Cruz, who is ranked 4th in world, worked her brother's corner and she will be fighting the main event on the 15th at the Grizzly Rose card.

One thing a promoter and matchmaker can't do is make a fighter give 100%, and unfortunately this card had boxers giving much less.  I had really anticipated seeing Alarcon live but he was unmotivated to say the least.  Varos quit on the stool after winning the first round on my card which is very disappointing.  If the boxer's don't keep up their end, by fighting hard and giving their all, then the fans will stop coming.  If you don't really want to compete, get a different side job, we don't really want to pay to see you slack off at this one.  

It was really nice to see some boxers coming out and supporting the local fight scene.  Frankie Sanchez, Larry Gonzales, Kenny Lemos and  Mike Alvarado came and showed their support, in addition to Adrian Mora and Terri Cruz being there to support their brothers. 

Airtight Boxing and Steve Maestas will be back with a card in May.  Maestas should be able to put his matchmaking magic back to work,  and hopefully all the fighters will keep up their end of the bargain and give the fans their money's worth.

Verno Phillips, who is ranked #3 by the IBF, will be fighting an eliminator bout against Julio "The Cuban Lover" Garcia, on ESPN Friday Night Fights in the main event.  Phillips has really turned his career around and is looking to make a run at a title.  Garcia on the other hand is coming off of a devastating KO loss to J.C. Candelo and will try to get back in the win column.  Verno's voice was shot so the audio is quite low, but worth hearing.  So click the link below and turn up the volume to see what Verno has to say about his bout with Garcia.

RMB Video Session with Verno Phillips

Steve Maestas and AirTight Boxing, along with Budweiser, bring you 'Unfinished Business.' The Main Event will feature undefeated (11-0) Colorado prospect Anthony Mora taking on  Julian Romero.  Mora has been plagued by inactivity and will look to shake off some of the rust with the trial horse Romero, as he hasn't fought since Fight Night Denver, a year ago in May.  Mora fractured his right hand in his last bout and has been contemplating surgery.  He said he would like to get to 15-0 then have the surgery. 

The Co-Main will pit Corey 'The King' Alarcon against Eloy Varos.  Alarcon is a decent boxer with good skills.  He has fought on ESPN FNF a couple of times, coming up short.  After starting out 6-0 he has gone 1-5 in his last 6 and will look to get back on the winning track against Varos.

The undercard will be filled with evenly matched bouts including Tyler Pogline versus Eloy Lucero, Robert Frankel vs Phil Gurule and Angela Poe versus Samantha Kalbes.  Airtight boxing always has exciting boxing cards because of Steve Maestas' matchmaking, and this card will be no different.

 The card will be held this Friday the 5th at Los Caporales at 3900 Elati.  Doors at 5, fights at 6pm.  You can get ticket information from Steve Maestas at 720-298-1954 or 303-525-9275.

Click Here for this must see RMB Video Session!

I just want to thank Delgado's Promotions for putting on a great show! Colorado deserves more good fights like this. The venue is perfect, most of the fights were well matched, plus we got to see some of Colorado's upcoming Fighters show some of their great talents. Manny Perez put on a good performance stopping his opponent in the second round. I think Manny will make a better Pro than Amateur because of his relaxed style of boxing. He is one of the better counter punchers coming out of Colorado today. I think his fights in the future will be a little easier, if he would just use that great jab of his.
I did not recognize the fighters in the second bout, but the third fight had one of Colorado's stars, Mike Alvarado. I thought Mike put on a good showing of his self stopping Istafa in the first round. Mike had already Ko'd Istafa in the Amateurs a few times. Even though the match up wasn't the best , hey it was his debut, and that's what debuts are all about. Great Job Mike, and I will have fun watching this young prospect grow.
The fourth fight featured Colorado's exciting body snatcher, Hector Saez. This fight started quick when Hector was clearly hurt by a counter right hook of the guy in front of him. This was the first time I have ever seen Hector Hurt. He did what most fighters would not do, and that is grab until the Police come, and I commend him for that. Most fighters in that situation become to Bold and try to fight there way out, walking there self into a Knock-Out. Hector held on even when the Referee tried to break them, resulting in in a point deduction. (I thought that was a bad call by the ref, not giving him a warning.) Hector was down two points on my card coming into the second round, and if he was going to win this fight he was going to have to make a big adjustment, and he did! From this point he put on a clinic, breaking his body down, and going right back to the head. I think all of the up comers need to do a little more of this, and don't go out there looking for that one punch KO. Hector almost made that mistake. I feel Hector will be much better when he fights 6, 8, and 10 rounders, so he can concentrate on breaking his opponents down. Being a world class fighter means you have to be able to make adjustments, and Hector did a great job of that tonight.
The fifth bout featured Kenny Lemos. Kenny did a good job in his fight when he was tested all night with his determined opponent. Kenny at points showed sluggishness through out the fight. He had much more power than his opponent, and I thought brought more to the table. If Kenny was to lose 20 more lbs. I think he would be lighter on his feet, and would have been able to stop the clearly hurt man in front of him. He is also a very good body puncher and should concentrate on that a little more.
And the main event featuring up coming Welterweight prospect Gomez. He was in there with Julio Lanzas. I watched all 6 rounds but did not stay for the decision. In my opinion, Gomez won a close decision, but I thought Julio was more exciting throwing hey-makers, and they were finding there spot. Julio might look basic, but like Ricardo Mayorga, his reckless style seems to work. Gomez had problems all night. If Julio could just tighten his punches up a little, he might go some where.
To finish up, I would like to say thanks to Delgado, and Colorado's Great fighters who put on a very good show. More shows like this, and I think Colorado will see more World Champions in the making!!!

Much Love, Support, and Respect. T.
 

Before I talk about the fight results, let me take my hat off to Mr. Henry Delgado and Aaron Weissenfluh.  They put on a first class promotion and show from start to finish, not to mention being easy and a true pleasure to work with.    From the press packets that Aaron delivered to me at work, to the press conference & weigh ins,  it was a first rate production.  Ohh, and the fights were pretty damn good too!  I truly look forward to covering the next Fight Card at the Castle. Now on to the fights.  I was able to watch all of the great footage taken by the Inside Boxing team (Ted Gleason & Jerry Balser) after being ringside taking pictures, so the analysis should be very accurate.

Click Here for report and Photo Gallery