“Fight Night Club” Debuts in Los Angeles
Posted by Igor Frank on 06.11.2009
Rodela , Huerta and Ramos are victorious.
Photos by Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos / Golden Boy Promotions
Club Nokia played host to a first ever "Fight Night Club", a boxing show dedicated to developing young fighters. Televised by Versus and promoted by Golden Boy the card featured brisk action and was a huge success with hardcore boxing fans that showed up for live action.
In the opening four rounds bout featherweights Ricky Lopez (4-0, 2 KOs) from Oxnard, California and Rufino Serrano (1-1) from Santa Maria went toe to toe f rom the opening bell till the end. Ricky Lopez was more accurate and more effective with his punches and thus got the nod from all three judges by scores of 40-36.
Next, undefeated featherweight prospect from Paramount, California Charles Huerta (11-0,6 KOs) continued his winning ways by dominating previously unbeaten Noe Lopez (4-1, 3 KOs) from Nogales, Mexico. Things went sour for Lopez when he found himself on the floor in the second stanza. Despite the fact that referee called it a slip' Lopez was hurt. In the third Huerta dropped his opponent twice with a left hook and once with a right hand that forced the third man in the ring to end matters at 1:03.
"We had a week to get ready," said Huerta after the fight:" I had to figure him out, but I think I did it when I dropped him in the second." It was a dynamic performance by a young prospect who trains near bye at Maywood Boxing Club. Huerta also expressed gratitude for his fans and sponsors and the fact that he got some TV exposure.
Lightweight prospect from Santa Ana, California Luis Ramos (11-0, 6 KOs) dominated his foe Baudel Cardenas (18-17-2, 6 KOs) dropping him with a body shot in the first and finally stopping him with a crushing right hook at 2:26 of the fifth round.
In the main event of the evening junior lightweight from Oxnard, California David Rodela (13-1-3, 6 KOs) battled Juan Garcia (14-3, 5 KOs) from Los Angeles in a six round brawl. Rodela's early success with power punches was to his detriment as he started loading up with his blows and getting out boxed by more fluid Garcia. In the third Rodela walked into a straight right hand and almost went down, but steadied himself and fought on bravely. Rodela hurt Garcia with an uppercut in the fourth stanza and almost had him out, but Garcia turned things around and had a decent fifth and dominated the final round with a couple of right hands. Judges scored the bout for Rodela by a split decision 59-55, 56-57, 59-55. Rodela, who recently sparred with Many Pacquiao and Victor Ortiz, looked to be the stronger man in the fight, but he had to dig deep inside to come out victorious. The main event was exciting and the most competitive fight of the night. Kudos to the matchmaker Eric Gomez and Golden Boy Promotions.
Unbeaten lightweight Jose Roman (5-0,4 KOs) recovered from the first round knock down to knock out his opponent Ramon Flores with the crushing left hook in the second that had him out for several minutes. Crowd cheered when Flores finally got up.
