Jose Lopez got a very tough test tonight, but persevered to score a unanimous decision victory over Jose Luis Tula in front of a sell out crowd gathered at the Omega Products International in Corona, California. The fight was the main event of a five-bout "Path to Glory" card presented by Thompson Boxing promotions.
 
    While it was not one of Jose Lopez's better fights, he still managed to defeat the tough Tula in a 10 round super featherweight bout. Lopez, who was not his usual aggressive self, still came out early, imposing his will and going right at his opponent. However, after the first minute, the fight settled down, and Lopez would only occasionally corner and attack. The first three rounds were similar, with Lopez seemingly more passive and more hittable than usual. Lopez's best defense has always been his offense, and when he slowed his pace down, he tended to stand still, and that's when Tula was able to score.
 
      Tula took a while to get going, which allowed Lopez to take the first three rounds; two of Jose’s better rounds were rounds 4 and 5, where he was more aggressive and assertive. In the process he was able to land some solid left hooks and overhand rights to the head. But, in round six, Tula started to turn the fight in his direction as he finally got going.
 
     Tula was able to counter well, and land what would be his most dependable punch of the night; the overhand right. In round nine, Tula bloodied Lopez's nose and Lopez's left eye began to welt up from all the overhand rights. Tula was able to pop Lopez with combos and get out before Lopez could do anything. Lopez was able to finish the round strong with an excellent flurry.
 
     Sensing that the fight might have been close at this point, Lopez came out with intensity and urgency in round 10. He still had no answer for Tula's overhand right, but he was overwhelming it with combos of his own. The effective aggression won the round for Lopez, as he again closed the round with a strong 15-second flurry. The fight went to the cards, and some of the scores were a bit surprising as Lopez won 97-93, 100-90 and 99-91. BRC scored the fight 96-94 for Lopez. This was not one of Lopez's better performances, but he managed to gut out a win. The Riverside, California native improves to 15-1, while Tula of Tijuana falls to 15-12-2.

    In the co-main event, welterweight Timothy Ray Bradley put on one of the better performances of his young career as he dominated Francisco Rincon over ten rounds. Rincon came into the fight with a 10-2 record, he was expected to be Bradley's toughest test, but it never looked tough for Bradley. There have been times where Bradley's aggressiveness has been questioned, but not on this night. Bradley went at Rincon from round one to ten with the same aggression throughout.
 
     Rincon had a good height advantage coming in at 6 feet tall to Bradley’s 5' 7” frame. Nevertheless, Rincon never used his height or reach to his advantage. Bradley was able to jab his way in, and then while inside, consistently pounded away at the body; he also dipped upstairs with a vicious overhand right. Bradley also looked stellar defensively, and showed very good headwork. Rincon looked frustrated throughout the fight, and was unable to put anything together against Bradley.

    Bradley would wind up winning 100-90 all in one of the easier fights a judge will ever have to score. Bradley passed his test with flying colors, sparkling at times; he improves to 9-0, while Rincon of Dallas, falls to 10-3.
 
      There were three other fights on the "Path to Glory" card. In the fight of the night, super middleweight prospect Ronald Johnson got more than he bargained for against Alfonso Rocha in a four round bout. Johnson survived the final two rounds, scoring a split decision victory. The Cleveland native entered the ring with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and he dazzled in the first two rounds, going upstairs and downstairs effectively, showing speed and good head movement. Johnson was even able to ignore the fact that his trunks were nearly falling off in every round.
 
     Just as it looked like Johnson was on his way to an easy win, Rocha turned the fight around in round 3. He caught Johnson with a solid overhand right, momentarily stunning Johnson, who, nevertheless, came back strong with a left hook to the body which seemed to stun Rocha. In the final round, Johnson made the mistake of getting into a slugfest with a slugger. As both fighters were trading, Rocha stunned Johnson again  with an overhand right. Rocha imposed his will with a right cross, which welted up Johnson's left eye. Johnson was able to survive the round, and went on to win a tight split decision by the scores of 39-37, 39-37, 37-39. BRC scored the fight 39-37 for Johnson. The crowd was not happy with the decision, which they booed loudly.
 
    Johnson, who seemed upset with his performance, survived and remains undefeated, improving his record to 5-0, while Rocha of Oxnard falls to 3-2.
 
     In a heavyweight tilt, Jay Horton of Carson, California defeated Javier Diaz by a majority decision. Horton, who is trained by Jack Mosley, had trouble with Diaz's awkward style, but was able to do enough to the body to win the fight. Horton improves to 4-0-1, while Diaz of Orange, California falls to 2-2.
 
     In a four round lightweight bout, Felipe Campana battled late sub Jesus Rivas to a draw in a tough fight. Campana did his work to the body, while Rivas was able to land chopping right hands to the head. The whole fight was fought in close, and was action packed. Campana of San Diego is now 2-1-2, while Rivas of Colton, California goes to 0-0-2.
 
     This wrapped up another exciting "Path to Glory" card under the stars from the Omega Products International in Corona. The card was promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. Their next card will be back at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California on October 17th.

Questions? Comments? Write Tom Dickey

9-23-2005

 

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