Tyrone Harris is down and Israel Hernandez scores an upset TKO victory...
-Photo Credit: Tom Casino/Showtime-

The Friday nite Sho-Box card from Pechanga Resort, Temecula, CA with Kahren Harutyunyan and Nonito Donaire in the main event and Tyrone Harris battling Israel Hernandez  in the semi-final resulted in a dual action thriller.

Show opens with undefeated southpaw sharpshooter Tyrone Harris at 14 wins with 12 coming via knockout, facing Mexico stranger Israel Hernandez, a reputed power puncher with resume` of 11 wins, 1 loss a draw and all wins by knockout.

Opening two stanzas sees Harris the sharpshooter with the classic moves - polished and poised and looking for the knockout - then round three, and late in the stanza a big left hook rocks Harris who looks unsteady.

Sure enough, the Mexican with the puncher’s chance finds the sweet spot with a countering inside left uppercut and down goes the touted one -Harris beats the count, but after a long look referee David Mendoza makes the no-mas call - no argument from Harris.

Time of the stoppage in round four 1:16 - and clearly more than enough time for something evil to result - good call by referee Mendoza.

Post Scripts: Tyrone Harris ~ only age 24, all the skills are visible as the kid puts the combinations together in text book style. Enough power as well - only question mark could be the chin construction - but also could be unfair, as this Hernandez nailed him with picture perfect left hooks/uppercuts. As the great general of WW2 once shouted, "I shall return" should be the Harris battle cry.
                       Israel Hernandez ~ Early cut along outside of left eye appeared ominous - but not hindering the vision. Things looked bad with Harris doing the scoring and Hernandez doing the swishing as he went long ball to no avail. But then numero three and a single left hook resulted in a wiggle in the walk - then the finishers in stanza four. So what do we have here? Hernandez has legit power from both sides - but maybe not a valid threat to the junior lightweights at the next level. Worth the peek - as is Harris.

Main event - NABF Super Flyweight title bout and a dandy at that-  Kahren Harutyunyan 13-2-3 zero knockouts facing Nonito Donaire 13-1, 8 KO’s.

This battle of 23 year olds was clearly a pairing of well schooled Super flyweights that made for one exciting and fan friendly affair.

Opening round edge goes to the transplanted Armenian Harutyunyan with a more disciplined style but come stanza two and a perfect Donaire counter left hook drops the Armenian - and from then to the finish line it was a classic contest of superb skills on display.

A key to victory in this one was not the second round knockdown - it was the taller Donaire mixing the offense from headhunting to body and head combinations - still, Kahren was not going anywhere on this night.

The size and power advantage helped the winning Nonito Donaire who comes away with the split verdict to the tune of 97-92, 97-92, 94-95 - my unofficial had Donaire the winner 6-4 in rounds and 96-93 in points method.

Closing comments: Nonito Donaire ~ kid has good size and eye catching skills. Is quick with both hands and excellent reaction on both offense and defense. Power is there as well. Will likely move up in weight at a now age 23 - only debit is a yesterday Tommy Hearns habit of awareness of punching power translating to carelessness. Kid carries both hands perilously low.
                                  Kahren Harutyunyan ~ Biggest debit here is lack of height - at only 5-4 gives up much advantage to opponents. But is well schooled and disciplined with a solid chin. The knockdown in stanza two was out of the blue perfect and he quickly recovered. Solid fighter that earned another Sho-Box outing.                 

P.S. Referee Tony Crebs ~ Another stellar outing - this guy has it all covered. Works in cool, calm manner but misses little if anything. Has the gift of projecting control while not becoming overly involved.  Check this gem - Vegas calling, maybe?

GEL -