Photos by Joseph Cordova, available for sale at Brawlin.net
Jim Smith and Poor Boys Boxing brought us, “Battle Under the Stars”, a night of gloomy clouds and a dirt infield, and some dirt bag fans, who were kept under control, as well.
It was an exciting night of Professional boxing, MMA eliminators, and amateur Muay Thai. Local fighters from around Colorado put forth exceptional heart and skill, but it was an out-of-towner that stole the show and took home the championship belt.
The card started off with 3 amateur Muay Thai bout featuring 6 of the toughest females I’ve ever seen. Also, fans were treated to 3 MMA eliminators, one of the bouts producing, maybe, the greatest knockout in recent memory. And last but not least, the pro’s from the sweet science.
Thompson Takes Title
In the main-event of the night, local prospect Victor Villereal, managed and trained by Raul Utajara, took on Lincoln, Nebraska's Patrick Thompson for the Super Middleweight Colorado–Nebraska Regional title.
Thompson easily establishes his jab in round 1, consistently landed it and following up with straight rights and body shots. Villereal doesn’t get much accomplished in round 1. RMB sees it 10-9 Thompson.
In round 2, Thompson resorts to bullying Villereal on the ropes and landing his overhand right, a punch his corner tells him to throw throughout the fight. Villereal lets his hands go in spots in round 2 but it's not enough to win the round. 10-9 Thompson.
Thompson again bullies Villereal along the ropes, this time focusing more on the body then shots upstairs. Villereal is trying to catch Thompson when he leans in to throw that overhand right. Villereal is picking up his pace but still not doing enough to the win the rounds. 10-9 Thompson.
Villereal is able to match the pace of Thompson in round 4, abandoning his jab but landing lead right hands followed by uppercuts. Thompson is putting a lot of pressure on Villereal, but Villereal is able to hold his ground and fight back wining his first round on the RMB card 10-9.
Thompson shows off his athleticism in round 5, proving to be too elusive for Villereal, pop shotting him with right hands and left hooks. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 6 was back and forth, as Thompson lands with straight rights and left hooks while Villereal lands with lead left hooks. The overall work rate of Thompson that wins him the round. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 7 was close as Villereal is finally letting his hands go with authority, feeling he must be down on the cards. Thompson’s still landing with regularity, shooting his way inside then sliding himself out before getting hit. In the final ten seconds, Thompson unleashes a flurry of punches and steals the round. 10-9 Thompson.
Villereal begins round 8 showing pure aggression, something he should have done from the beginning of round 1. But it’s too little too late as Thompson is in a groove, slipping most of the shots and countering the slower Villereal. 10-9 Thompson.
All three judges see it 77-75 for Thompson. RMB scored it 79-73 Thompson. Thompson is crowned the new Colorado-Nebraska Super Middleweight Champ.
Delgado Dazzles Once Again
In our first bout of professional boxing, local prospect Jairo Delgado blasted Javier Segura out in :46 of the first round. Segura was overmatched in this one and should consider hanging up the gloves after 30 professional bouts. A beautiful left hook from Delgado buzzed Segura and moments later referee Stephan Blea was stepping in to stop the fight after a series of unanswered blows. Segura laid claim to a shoulder injury. Nonetheless, Delgado is now 3-0, 3kos all in the first round. Delgado will take on Jose Morales on the Moonlight Productions card September 20th here in Denver.
Kiser Beats Beltran's Body To Death
In heavyweight action, Jon Kiser put Jose Beltran’s gut to the test. From the get-go, Kiser went straight to the body; unleashing vicious left hooks into the pudgy mid-section of Beltran. Round goes to Kiser 10-9.
In round 2, Beltran puts forth a brave effort, absorbing rib crunching body shots. In the last minute of the round, Kiser drops Beltran with an overhand right, which was set up with all the preceding body work. Beltran bravely gets up and continues, holding off a late barrage from Kiser. With the knock down it's a 10-8 round for Kiser.
Round 3 is no different, as Kiser is lighting up Beltran with thunderous power shots. Beltran is showing tremendous heart and determination, fighting back as much as his body will allow. Finally, referee Stephen Blea has seen enough and steps in to save Beltran for his own good.
Kiser is your winner at 2:58 of the 3rd round.
Jackson Gets Gift Split-Decision
In jr. middleweight action, Brad Jackson and Julio Lanzas got to together for a second time in the last few months. This was to settle score as the first bout ended in a draw.
In round 1, both fighters are in feeling out mode, Jackson is trying to establish his jab, and Lanzas is trying to land his trademark overhand right. There’s not much action to speak of. RMB scores 10-10.
Round 2 sees Lanzas pressing the action, landing a big left hook that wobbles Jackson. There's plenty of action in this round as both fighters brawl on the ropes, each fighter trying to establish there dominance in the fight. RMB scores it 10-9 Lanzas.
Round 3 starts off sloppy with both fighters wrestling along the ropes, but its Jackson doing most of the damage, keeping Lanzas at bay with a stinging jab. Lanzas resorts to bull rushing to try and get within punching range of his taller foe. RMB scores it 10-9 Jackson.
Round 4 is all Lanzas, as he lands a left hook over hand right combo that staggers Jackson along the ropes. Lanzas has closed the gap, pounding away at the body of Jackson. he is catching up and the overhand right is finding a home on Jackson chin. RMB scores it 10-9 Lanzas.
Lanzas again wobbles Jackson in round 5 with an overhand right, and that’s about all the highlights from round 5 as both fighters felt they were ahead on the score cards and coasted. This proved to be a costly mistake.
Judge Ed Kugler sees it 48-47 Lanzas, while judges Steve Waldmen and Jeanne McEvoy see it 48-47 Jackson. Jackson is your winner by Spilt Decision. RMB scored it 49-47 Lanzas. Rubber match anyone?
Griffis Dumps DePaulo
In the first MMA eliminator, Justin Griffis battled Rocco Depaulo. Griffis is on the attack early, landing a straight right that buckles Depaulo. Moments later, another right hand from Griffis floors Depaulo, goodnight folks. Justin Griffis wins with a 1st round KO over Rocco Depaulo at 56 seconds.
Gaejthe KO's Deanda
In the second MMA eliminator, Justin Gaejthe took on Ben Deanda. In the opening seconds of the fight, Gaejthe buries Deanda with a Quinton Jackson type body slam. Deanda takes it well but moments later Gaejthe again picks up Deanda, this time well over his head, slamming Deanda head first into the canvas, rendering him unconscious.
Justin Gaejthe is the winner at 56 seconds of the 1st round via a vicious KO.
Kreuscher 'Bone Crushes' Sasse
In our third MMA eliminator, Ken Kreuscher and Coy Sasse met in the ring. Kreuscher comes out blazing, landing a kick that forces Sasse to the ropes where both fighters grapple for position. About a minute into the fight, Kreuscher lands a beautiful straight right that floors Sasse, and after a barrage of follow up punches, the referee is forced to step in call a halt to the fight. Ken Kreuscher is your winner at 1:06 of the 1st round.
Padilla Too Aggressive For Hogel
In the first bout of the night, amateur Muay Thai, Sarah Padilla easily defeated Daniela Hogel over 3 rounds of action. It was pure aggression from Padilla and some timely sweeping leg kicks that kept Hogel at bay and out of the fight. All three judges scored it 30-27 for Padilla.
Sahlberg Sweeps Knezel
In the second bout of the night, amateur Muay Thai, Rachel Sahlberg defeated Kristine Knezel with ease, scoring a knockdown in round 2 with a beautiful sweeping kick, taking out the knees of her opponent. All three judges scored it 30-26, Sahlberg
Sugihara Thrashes Hollenback
In our third bout of the bout, amateur Muay Thai, Lauren Sugihara put a thrashing on Jessica Hollenback for three rounds. All three judges scored it 30-27, Sugihara.
Scott Shultz Is Honored
There was also a quick award ceremony in which Poor Boys Pro Boxing wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication to the sport of Smitty's 'right hand man' Scott Schultz. Schultz has been a familiar face in the Colorado boxing scene for quite some time and can be found at most every local show, helping out with wrapping hands and working corners. Shultz is truly an asset to the Colorado Boxing Scene. Congratulations Scotty, you deserve it!!
Over all it was a very entertaining show with plenty of action for all of the fight fans in attendance which was put on in front of a crowd estimated at 1200+.
Poor Boys Pro Boxing will be back in action with a show September 13th, with the venue yet to be announced.
