By Austin Killeen – Ringside – October 17, 2015

Three Crosses entertainment played host to a Pro-Am card in Las Cruces on Saturday night. Before a near capacity crowd of approximately 400 enthusiastic fans, promoter Bryan Nevarez put on six amateur and four pro bouts. The event was an outdoor affair at the Beverly Hills Hall. The weather cooperated, as it was a mild evening with clear skies. Apparently fans were hungry for more than boxing, as concession stands were busy all night.

In the four round main event, Augustine Banegas (5-0-0, 1 KO) 124.4 lbs. of Las Cruces won by UD over Alan Lerma (2-3-0, 1 KO) 125.2 lbs. of Las Cruces. The opening round was a feeling out affair, with neither boxer taking any unnecessary chances. Banegas might have captured the round with his hit and run tactics. In the second round Banegas made it clear the fight would take place in the middle of the ring. He had a big finish to capture the round but Lerma was showing a nice left hook.

In rounds three and four Lerma continued to land single shots but was having trouble with Banegas’ speed. This proved to be his downfall as the hand and foot speed of Banegas dominated both rounds. Banegas, a natural bantamweight, was landing five and seven punch combinations against his slower rival. It was an entertaining contest but Lerma has to learn how to cut off the ring. Both boxers were in excellent shape and appeared capable of going eight rounds. Scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 resulted in a unanimous decision for the undefeated Lerma.

In the evenings only six rounder, Jose Salinas (7-1-1, 3 KO’s) 140.6 lbs. of Las Cruces won by UD over Anthony Hill (1-13-0) of Texas. From the opening bell it was the pressure of Salinas against the counter punching of Hill. Hill’s southpaw style seemed to confuse Salinas at times but the hometown fighter never stopped coming forward and captured the opening round. Round’s two through four Hill used every trick in the book to get the better of Salinas while the hometown boy just keep coming forward behind a solid arsenal of punches. Salinas was winning rounds but Hill was entertaining the fans with an assortment of defensive moves.

Early in the fifth round Salinas hurt Hill with a right cross to the body; but Hill refused to fold. Using his face as a target, Hill would suddenly slip his rival’s punches when he tried to hit his head. He would often slip inside of Salinas’ attack and slap him with punches to the head and body. It was a big round for Salinas and the Texas fighter was happy to hear the round ending bell. Watching Hill fight off the ropes, he reminded me of middleweight cutie Holly Mims from the 1950’s. The well conditioned Salinas continued his relentless attack in the final round in search of a knockout with Hill seemingly using paper clips, glue and moxie to finish the contest. Cards of 60-54 three times resulted in a unanimous decision for Salinas.

In the evening’s second bout, debuting Edmond Guzman 133 lbs. of Las Cruces KO’d David Montes 133.6 El Paso, TX. Guzman can hit, catching Guzman with a brutal body shot early in the first round. Montes was in obvious pain, falling into the ropes. He gamely tried to fend off Guzman but was a sitting duck for Guzman’s attack. A right hand to the head dropped the Texas boxer like a tree, making the count a mere formality. Referee Rocky Burke didn’t waste time with the count, immediately having the ring physician assist the fallen boxer.

In the evening’s opening bout between debuting boxers, Beto Torres 145.4 lbs. won by TKO over Alex Estrada 148.8 lbs. This was a clash of Las Cruces boxers with plenty of fireworks. At the opening bell the taller Estrada used his reach advantage to control the action. With a pulverizing left jab and overhand rights he drove Torres all over the ring. Only stubborn pride was keeping Torres on his feet. Suddenly he landed an overhand right to the exposed chin of Estrada and staged a rally the last thirty seconds of the round.

Torres’ comeback was short lived as the start of the second round was a repeat of the first, with Estrada driving his opponent all over the ring. But Estrada was making one mistake, carrying his left hand low. Once again Torres was able to land a desperation overhand right to the exposed jaw of his opponent. The rejuvenated Torres started raining unanswered blows on Estrada’s head and body. A vicious right to the ribs of Estrada turned his legs to jelly. This caused Referee Ray Chavez to halt the proceedings and inspect Estrada. Having seen enough, Chavez awarded a TKO victory to Beto Torres at 2:18 of the second round. This bout was loaded with action and the fans loved it. This would make a “can’t miss” rematch.

This was promoter Bryan Nevarez first venture into the boxing business and he was very pleased with the experience. He would like to try it again in the spring, possibly in March of next year. Augustine Banegas and Jose Salinas both have talent and a large fan base in Las Cruses. They would make a nice addition to any future Nevarez card. If Alan Larma learned how to cut off the ring he would increase his odds of having his hand raised at the end of his next bout. Speaking of increasing the odds, Anthony Hill would do the same if he added some offense to his excellent defense. It was a nice evening of boxing, Bryan Nevarez should be proud of his first promotion.