~Mike Alvarado~

 

The Telefutura Solo-Boxeo FNF weekly dropped by fan friendly Albuquerque, New Mexico for last noche’s club fight action - and with it, the paying clientele were entertained with a mixed bag of assorted effort - highlighted by a Mike Alvarado stanza seven stoppage of outgunned Michel Rosales. 

Alvarado of Denver, Colorado, had the power puncher edge over a game Rosales that foolishly elected to wage war in the trenches - all this, while enjoying a distinct height and reach advantage - toss in the southpaw versus orthodox factor, that may well have translated to victory over defeat. Not to be.  

Maybe Rosales claims the opening round - was quicker and more animated than a plodding Alvarado - but then it was all bets off as Rosales willingly swapped exchanges at close quarters with the bigger punching Alvarado - other than showing a solid chin, the clueless strategy had unhappy ending scribbled over it. 

Sure enough, come stanza six and we see the available Rosales wobbled late in the round by a Alvarado power right hand - then numero seven and the Colorado clouter quickly on the offense - a barrage from both sides leaves Rosales defenseless and man in charge Rocky Burke calls it no-mas at 1:28 mark. 

Post Scripts:

• Mike Alvarado (21-0, 14 KOS) ~  age 27 - The win coupled with clean résumé likely sees Mike finding spot among the Jr. Welter various sanctioning memberships. Nice for ego but there’s need for improvement in technique. Jury not out - as yet, not selected.

• Michel Rosales (20-2, 18 KOS) ~ age 25 at 5’11” - so where’s the scholars with the tutoring assignment,  I ask. Good height, good movement the good news; the bad news is shortage of punching power that mandates upgrading the outside game. “Death before dishonor” a yesterday slogan designed for Marines prior to embarking on combat missions.     
                              
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Curtain opens with Jr. Middleweights Ray Sanchez (20-2, 15KO) in with age 35 Patrick Thompson of 13-12-1, 5 KO’s infamy - toss in age factor showing local favorite ten years younger - also enjoying the celebrated southpaw advantages. 

Candle one with both looking to counter - more Sanchez in style, than Thompson, the veteran looking to test the waters. Stanza two with Thompson forcing the action to the inside and scoring with big right hands. 

With each passing chapter it’s Sanchez doing little but avoiding a slow, plodding Thompson that is always on the offense but unable to put anything together - still, Sanchez with all the herky-jerky, shaking and moving from far out of punching range is doing little to take advantage. 

Goes to the final bell - my unofficial had it Thompson 6-4 in rounds and 96-94 under point scoring method. The official numbers went Sanchez 97-93, 96-94 - and dissenter card had it even at 95-95.

Closing comments:

• Sanchez (21-2, 15 KO) ~ age 25 - advice is not to stray very far from comfy confines of Albuquerque - out of town could be hazardous. Not physically strong enough at 155 and above. The constant movement without anything to support it will not get it done once moving up in class.

• Thompson (13-13-1, 5 KO) ~ age 35 is showing - the inability to punch in combinations more than a hint to call it a career. Résumé confirms whenever in the past moving up a level resulted in another loss. Last noche should have been a win from my seat, but it would have proven nothing positive.