Last noche’s Telefutura Solo Boxeo offering from the Morongo Casino at far out Cabazon, California evoked mixed emotions in its twin bill co-starring past bantam champion Jhonny Gonzalez with Edel Ruiz, and aging former s/feather champion Jesus Chavez battling Daniel “Azuquita” Jimenez.

I think it was New York city TV  sports anchor Warner Wolf that once began his nightly report with “Let's go to the video tape” - and on that note let me update my report with “Let’s go to the Boxrec.com tale of the tape.'

Curtain rises with young veteran age 26, Gonzalez, past titleholder sporting rap sheet of 36-6, 30 KOs studded with wins over proven good ones with surnames Montiel, Pacheco, (Mark) Johnson coupled with losses to quality champions Gary Penalosa and Israel Vasquez.

Gonzalez in rebuilding stage, is handed one Edel Ruiz to sharpen up the tools on - the unfortunate victim in waiting enters on five losses in last six priors - not to mention fight application shouting rejection 28-19-5, 17 KOs.

But then again, this is California Boxing Commission of omission country.

Round one opens with both on the cautious side - we’ll call it a slow round with both looking to counter - then stanza two and clear to past champ Gonzalez it would be safe to pick up the pace - good round with Jhonny displaying effective double left-hooks to body and head.

The curtain would drop during a Gonzalez dominant stanza three - first knockdown courtesy of double left hook going body to head - second Ruiz trip to the canvas saw Edel catching not one, two, but a dazzling triple left hook to the mark. Then the finisher a right uppercut that set up a final double left hook.

Very impressive bit of sharp-shooting - problem is this one should never have been sanctioned had the left-coast commission had its thinking caps set in the right direction. Edel Ruiz, at age 30 a career club fighter, never had a chance. Was not intimidated but totally out of his class.

Post Script: My humble advice to both fighters: “Jhonny be good“ - enjoy the post fight party - but also “Jhonny be careful” on this second journey - do not invite the  Vazquez, Caballero, Molitor, De Leone elite to the next dance.
                   And to Edel ( much too close in spelling with Edsel) Ruiz - please call a halt to the foolishness. Fire the brainless trust that’s using you for a small claims cash cow. The future is a grass plot if continuing. Only in combat is it called valor to die with the boots on.

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The Chavez-Jimenez affair played to an entirely different script - Chavez at age 35 and in his 47th kept appointment not the explosive one he once was, but enough in savvy and tank, to test the younger ones in search of a name scalp - enter “Azuquita” Jimenez. 

The younger Jimenez at 27 to the Chavez age 35 opens the hostilities with a good stanza one - grabs the round virtue of quicker, busier hands - Chavez unable to get off.

Round two a role reversal with Chavez on the offense and applying effective pressure as Jimenez assumes a defensive posture - and we have a standoff after two chapters.

The pace quickens in stanza three with the Mexican going south of the border with an errant missile that fires up “Azuquita” the Puerto Rican - but the edge goes to Chavez. No penalty for the violation.  

Chavez, on my unofficial, grabs stanzas four and five - the key is the busier of the two in closely contested action candles - simply put, Jimenez over the first half has been outworked.

Then the second half -  Jimenez a good round - the jab backed with straight right hands brings out the boxing skills - thought was maybe Chavez took the round off - but, not to be.

Round seven with Jimenez displaying impressive skills holds up to a late Chavez rally that proves too little too late - and now, after seven completed chapters, my  unofficial has it Chavez 4-3 in rounds with the “championship” rounds of 8-9-10 looming.

Tempo slows during stanza eight - edge to Jimenez slightly busier - then numero nine with Chavez in a final surge of aggression claiming the candle - but the final round ten sees “Azuquita” with a strong closing round.

My unofficial had it 95-95 in points and 5-5 using the round by round method.

The numbers that count posted by California scoring hacks at ring apron saw it unanimous for Chavez 96-94, 96-94, 97-93.

Closing comments:
Jesus Chavez ( 43-4, 29 KO) ~ Age 35 @ 5‘ 5” not the stud he once was but can still fight. Wily veteran plays with the rules to help compensate for what’s been lost through the aging process. The inadvertent clash of heads, strayed punches going south, hold and hit and hitting on the break. Did I leave out “smearing”? No problem, part of the tough pro game. Must proceed with caution - and stay home - as in California or hometown Austin, Texas where the climate is comfy Mexican. Crowd helped the cause.

Daniel “Azuquita” Jimenez ( 17-3-1, 10 KOs) ~ age 27 @ 5’ 8” good size at lightweight. The skills are there - quick on all counts. Needs improved left-hook. Has the inside hybrid version but the text-book left hook with bad intentions is missing. I would help if asked. Round trip to Puerto Rico - paid in advance only requisite.

Referees: Jose Cobain - better of two on the night - maybe could have pulled the plug on Edel Ruiz after second knockdown. Kid was cooked.
               Dr. Lou Moret - could use a doctor of psychology to help with the ego problem. Close to blind to favorite infractions. Only called the one Chavez low blow but conveniently missed the more serious violations.

GEL  -