The Friday Nite Sho-Box jr. welterweight offering between undefeated Mike
Arnaoutis (12-0-2, 6 KO’s) and late substituting Roberto Santa Cruz (11-1, 2
KOs) revealed a bit about both fighters.
Somehow, Arnaoutis had bloomed as some kind of hot commodity … at least, that is
how it came across to the viewer from Sho-Box commentators Steve Farhood and
Nick Charles.
The big plus for the Athens, Greece raised southpaw is just that, he works from
the port side, and has some quickness of hand and foot when dictating the
choreography - but the pre-fite yak about "new found" power proved laughable off
last noche’s offering.
Began with Arnaoutis doing the pitching and Santa Cruz the catching over candles
one and two … concerns were a no-contest was in the offing as Cruz simply went
"turtle" to the hot-dogging Greek.
Then number three and a wake up call … Cruz doesn’t grab the stanza but surely
does snatch stanzas 4-5-6 with on and off surges of punching barrages … and
"Mighty-Mike" is surprisingly caught in a fire fight - and doesn’t look all that
happy about it.
The action then went nip-n-tuck to the closing bell with Arnaoutis eking out the
win by majority scores of 114-114, 115-113, 116-112.
Good news for not so mighty Mike, is, there will be no ill-advised step up the
ladder to the real deals that do biz at 140. At age 25, remains unbeaten after
15 bouts with room for realistic improvement - but don’t see it among the upper
tier fraternity.
And Roberto Santa Cruz you ask? Only a baby at age 22 … a good tutor could
develop this kid to bigger and better things. Took fight on short notice … if
given time to prepare, my money goes with him in any return with Arnaoutis.
Showed strong resolve - and hands are quick, albeit in need of fine tuning in
technique department.
………………………………..........................................................................
Welterweight prelim 8-rounder featured eye-catching, unbeaten southpaw Shamone
Alvarez going to a now 11-0, 8 KO’s when stopping a game but outgunned brawler
in Jose Medina who drops to 11-3 with 9 stops.
Alvarez displayed a good chin … was tested when choosing to exchange fire at
close quarters, quick hands coupled with good movement, and serious punching
power from the port side. Definitely a good watch.
Medina, a late start and is now age 29 … short, stocky and not bashful about
going into the trenches. Not main bout material in skills.
Closing comments: Think it time Dr. James Jerk Kin pack in the referee gig and
take a seat with those that do the scoring. Too full of himself while at center
stage. The Alvarez fight should have been halted in stanza three when Medina
stiffened and appeared trance-like from a punch to the head, and J-Jerk lets it
continue. Late in round or not, a serious happening could have resulted.
