Early in the week, Abraham Perez who won the Olympic Trials in December found out he would not represent the United States in the 2020 Olympics. USA Boxing selected a boxer who Perez has beaten twice to represent us in the 114-pound division. You can’t blame USA Boxing for there actions as we have won over a dozen gold medals in the last three Olympics thanks to their eye for talent. Oops, I’m sorry, that happened in a dream I had last Friday night.

 

 

On Thursday veteran MMA fighter/boxer Donald Sanchez was stopped in Miami, Florida in a middleweight fight against Houston, Texas prospect Austin Williams. Sanchez gave it his best effort, but it just wasn’t to be. Last night Fidel Maldonado, Jr. was stopped in the tenth round of a lightweight bout against undefeated Michel Rivera (17-0-0, 11 KO’s) of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic for the vacant World Boxing Council Continental Americans Lightwight Title. The likable Maldonado looked tired and not the explosive puncher we’ve come to expect when the bell rings. Rivera was just too big and fast for the “Atrisco Kid” and might have a future, unlike many Dominicans who’ve come to the states after feasting on native talent.

The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Ruidoso, New Mexico hosted an 8 bout card. It was sponsored by Impact Network which has big plans for the sport. After what I saw No Impact Network would be a better name based on the mismatches I witnessed. In the main event Austin Trout (32-5-1, 18 KO’s)  149.2 lbs., of Las Cruces, NM won by TKO over Rosbel Montoya (17-10-1, 13 KO’s) 153.5 lbs., of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.  Commentator B.J. Flores couldn’t stop bloviating about Trout making a statement and calling out all the welterweights in the division. It was the seventh KO loss for Montoya in his last eight defeats. Alonzo Butler (33-3-2, 25 KO’s) 295.5 lbs., of Chattanooga, TN won by TKO over Jesus Alberto Martinez Torres (23-14-1, 13 KO’s) 292.5 lbs., of Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico in the first round. It must have set a record for the amount of Cellulite found in one place.

Undefeated Abel Mendoza (22-0-0, 16 KO’s) 129.5 lbs., of El Paso, TX labored through eight rounds to win a close fight over Juna Carlos Guillen (8-7-1, 3 KO’s) 127.5 lbs., of Las Cruces, NM. It was Guillen’s seventh loss in his last eight fights. While undefeated Brandon White (5-0-0, 2 KO’s) 112.2 lbs., of Las Cruces, NM won by decision over Mario Chavez Tovar  (0-4-0) 116.5 lbs., of Arlington, TX. Mendoza and White were fed what appeared to be easy wins on paper, but seemed to lose some energy in the second half of their bouts. If I was Abel Mendoza, I’d avoid undefeated Aaron “Angel Baby” Perez and Abel Navarrete Jr., if he wants to keep his “0.”