ZABALA'S ALL STAR BOXING AND TELEMUNDO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING By Elisa Harrison

The Miccosukee Gaming and Casino in Miami was the host, Telemundo broadcasted the main event live and Felix "Tutico" Zabala's "All Star Boxing" promoted this entertaining night of boxing.

In typical Zabala fashion, the bouts were action packed, starting with 118 pounders Carlos Perez versus Carlos Nogueras. Perez, hailing from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, knocked down his foe twice, disposing of the Nicaraguan Nogueras via KO 1:08 into the second round.

Not to be outdone, hot prospect Rafael "Lobito" Sierra from Cataño, Puerto Rico, put away his opponent, Miami's Pedro Castro, (132 lbs.) courtesy of a left hook to the temple which sent Castro reeling and rendered him unable to beat the count. "Lobito" who weighed in at 128½, scores a KO 1:04 into the opening round. Sierra, pushes his record to 4-0, 2 KOs. This young man continues to impress, and we look forward to following his career.

Homestead, Florida's Rocky Torres, at 177 lbs. went the distance of six rounds to beat Miami's Pedro Riverón. Torres won this local turf war unanimously.

Junior welterweights Frankie Santos and John Trigg fought a six rounds scorcher. The bout was exciting, with an impressive amount of punches thrown by both men. The crowd stood on its feet for the most part of the match, and in the end Santos, from Salinas, Puerto Rico pulled out a majority decision over Georgia's John Trigg. The judges saw it 57-57 and 58-56, 59-55 for Santos.

The heat was turned up a notch when former three-times world champion Wilfredo Vazquez took center stage against Mexico's Julio Cesar Cardona. Vazquez wasted little time putting away his opponent; whom he dropped within seconds of the end of the first round, and put away for good 1:49 into the second round. Wilfredo looks good, he is in great shape and remains a fans favorite. His record improves to 54-9-2.

The next bout was an 8 rounder between jr. flyweight and former WBA champion Beibis Mendoza and IBF former straw weight Manny Melchor. Talk about turning it up a notch, these guys went at it from the opening bell! Mendoza had been idle for over a year, but showed little -if any- ring rust. The Colombian former champion is a beautiful stylist to watch; good chin, great jab, and picture perfect uppercuts, which he delivered very effectively to a durable and determined Manny Melchor. The judges saw it 78-74, 77-75 and 80-72 for Mendoza, who told us he is looking for a major title fight later on this year. His record improves to 29-1, 14 KOs.

The main event, a battle for the WBC Latin American Bantam weight title, matched Hugo Dianzo versus José Laureano. Dianzo, from Mexico City, is a former National and NABF champion. Laureano, from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico is a former National Fecarbox and Fedelatin champion, with a record of 18-8-1, 8 KOs. Wilfredo Vazquez worked Laureano's corner, the fight went the distance and ended in a controversial split decision for Dianzo. The judges scored it 114-113 Dianzo, 115-113 Laureano and 118-110 Dianzo. The new champion's record improves to 27-7-1, 14 KOs.