The ESPN TNF summer series dropped its curtain at Camp Pendleton, California the home of the 1st Marine Division -  and ranking lightweight Julio Diaz closed the main event with a first round stoppage of Russell Jones at the 1:59 mark.

The feature attraction went as expected with Jones taking the bout on a day or two notice - equally foreboding was the 30 year-old resume` with the now 11 advertised debits.

Come the opening bell it is Diaz in a disciplined look and see counterpunch mode, with the selected one assuming a defensive posture - then nearing the two-minute mark it’s a crisp left hook connecting outside the right orbit of Jones who opts to remain on the canvas.

Diaz goes to 32-3, 24 KO’s while Jones drops to 19-11, 14 KO’s and in the future should hedge before accepting last minute gigs with rated foes.

Post Scripts: Diaz ~ treated the uninitiated to a snazzy wham-bam thank you ma'am quickie, but one must consider the quality of the resistance. The lightweight division is loaded with the Corrales, Castillo, Juan Diaz, Kid Diamond, Casamayor, Freitas clientele - but time will tell.
                      Jones ~ Instant tapioca only works in some puddings - fire the brain(less) trust that is currently directing your fistic future.

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Prelim 8-round semi-final saw Mexico’s Ricardo Dominguez (10-1, 6KO’s) besting a game, brawling Rafael Ortiz, in a heated lightweight affair that picked up in intensity with each passing round.

Began with the 20 year-young Dominguez in control with a mix of outside and inside flashy combination punching - come the halfway point of round four it was Ortiz with a wake up call that would make it a tester for the younger opponent.

Ortiz would grab stanzas six and seven with big right hands, but it would be Dominguez with the edge in a furious finishing round of exchanges.

Scoring went Dominguez 77-75, 77-75, 78-74 - this unofficial had it Dominguez 78-75 in points and 5-2-1  using the round by round method.

Closing Comments: Dominguez ~ young in age at 20 and still physically maturing … nice combinations to both body and head but is much too slow to react to incoming mail. Remains too long on the inside looking to put combos together and is vulnerable to counters. Chin proved up to standards, but should work on better outside game. Feel this kid would benefit feeding off inferiors for the present.
                                  Ortiz ~ resumé bit of mystery … 11-7-1, 11 KO’s … all wins via knockout … all losses via decision. Book is he waits much too long to get the offense in gear.

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Closing Comments ~ No need to mention four rounder that saw Butterbean Esch scoring what passes as a final round KO over hapless Rick Zufall in stanza three.

Worth mentioning, in a day that brings more and more incompetent referees to our living rooms and dens, finally a card that had not one but three ring officials earning a gold star for jobs well done.

Pat Russell, Tony Crebs and Raul Caiz Jr. respectively worked their assignments to the letter. All with cool composure … no leaping into the fray third man in lunacy … cautioned for infractions sans urgency … not one episode of dramatics.

P.S. - Joe Tessietorre : Add most recent bit of stupidity that surfaced during ringside chat with Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Brig General. Ask how his soldiers morale is holding up with the recent news from Iraq. General was polite in responding that the Marines and Sailors morale is up and ready to return to Iraq duty. Psssst Joey, Marines are not soldiers. The Army has soldiers.

GEL