Last nite’s Telefutura card from Cicero, Illinois delivered the goods with  club fight action at its best - main event had lightweights Miguel Huerta facing Antonio Ramirez in something of a must win scenario - and tossed in was a dandy featherweight appetizer with undefeated Brandon Rios in with a very willing Humberto Tapia.

Rios entered with a sparkling resumé of 13 wins, nine arriving via the knockout route while Tapia’s work application reflected a more mediocre 10 wins, 3 losses, a draw and six of the wins by knockout.

Then the opening bell with both youngsters in a show and tell approach that pretty much translated to the proverbial calm before the storm that would follow - Rios the puncher gets a wake-up call from the corner brain trust between candles one and two and quickly engages the better in technique Tapia - and it would go "Katie bar the door" for most of the six remaining stanzas.

While sizzling close quarters infighting spawned punches by the bunches, both these kids showed good defense when in counterpunch mode - not all that easy one to score once the action eight rounder table setter went to the judges.

Official tallies unanimous Rios 79-73, 79-73, 78-74 - my unofficial had it all square in rounds at 4-4 and also in points at 76-76.

Closing comments:  Brandon Rios (14-0, 9 KO’s) - good size, physically strong - a baby at 20 has room to grow in physical stature and with just a bit more smoothing out in technique could develop into future prospect at 135-140 range. The odd moments of outside boxing showed promise and punching power.
                                   Humberto Tapia (10-4-1, 6 KO’s) - also young at 20 - a Tijuana, Mexico terror that likes doing battle in the other guy’s face - still, has excellent defensive skills when the mail is incoming - nice combos on the inside and gutsy as they come. The Rios pairing was something of a test for the small arms firepower of Tapia - the kid passed the test in flying colors. Could have been scored a standoff.
                                    Referee John O’Brien ~ have seen this guy’s work a couple past occasions - think this one was his career best. Let the kids do battle with only a rare caution for some shots touching down below the DMZ - realized the inside war will result in a few straying low.

                                    Post Script: What remains indelible for this ancient fight fan was seeing relative novices showing the more celebrated and connected ones of the day, that the "foulproof" harness with the metal cup does protect the family jewels after all - but then, them "prospects" go theatric more in search of help than any other reason - Amen to that bit of bonus exposure.

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Then the main event with a seasoned lightly, but very respectable lightweight Miguel Huerta in a blowout of over the hill Dominican, Antonio Ramirez who wisely retired between stanzas five and six.

In a nut shell: The action was ongoing with the age 34 Ramirez showing wear and tear but mega-heart, as he walked into the incoming fire of the better skilled port sider - handwriting on the wall first surfaced in stanza two with Ramirez dropped by a left hand. Try as he did, things worsened round after round until a nasty candle five saw a bloodied Dominican down and in trouble at the bell - no disgrace in remaining on the corner stool.

Post Scripts: Miguel Huerta ~ (24-7-1, 17 KO’s) now at age 28 is pretty much where he is at club fight level. Decent boxing skills from port side is the plus and respectable power with left hand. Has met some of the next step up clientele and come up short but club fight lightweight level he should do very well.
                         Antonio Ramirez ~ (24-13-6, 17 KO’s) at age 34 and looking older, the Santo Domingo tough guy is surely an accident waiting to happen. The offerings are wide arm punches and the defense weak as he marches to the tune of the drummer and oblivion. Bleeping brain trust should become involved - concern for the charge at this point is more important than the token stipend for its callous corner cheer leading. Toss in the guy entered last nite's mismatch on a 3 bout losing streak ... by KO no less.
                         Referee: Geno Rodriguez ~ quick to caution Ramirez in early round stanza for holding-hitting - where’s the Geno clue I ask. The veteran was trying to hold the quicker Huerta with the left glove while punching with right hand. The dummy could have shouted stop-punching and while separating, low key a no-mas with the hold and hit.

The card was clearly an early Christmas gift for small town Cicero, Illinois and one the crowd enjoyed to the max.

Geo-

12-22-2006