ESPN Wednesday Night Fights “Rumble At The Rock IV” from the River Rock Casino in Richmond, BC was packed to the rafters. The three televised fights and the three that were off air following the ESPN telecast made for a solid evening of boxing. The festivities kicked off on Tuesday where the press and a large amount of fans attended the official weigh in. After all of the fighters were done many stayed behind to sign autographs and have pictures taken with the large group of fans who eagerly awaited a chance to meet their idols.  

Sugar Ray Leonard was brought in as the special guest, this after the successful Joe Frazier meet and greet for the Friday Night Fights show back in December. West Coast Boxing Promotions and the River Rock Casino have increased their publicity ten fold by bringing in such legends. The media coverage both in the local newspapers and television were top notch in the days leading up to the fight. 

Referee Joe Cortez was also in town to conduct a one day seminar for local and aspiring officials. Hollywood action star Steven Seagal was back again and sitting ringside with Sugar Ray Leonard during the fights. Seagal has become a familiar face to Vancouverites over the last year or so, filming movies here and a concert tour. Everything leading up to fight night was handled with class and with the fight fans in mind.  

Seeing the smiling and sometimes awe-struck faces of so many people when they got to meet Sugar Ray, Ishe, Julio and many of the local fighters was priceless. The sky is the limit for boxing in Vancouver and the rumors of a future Manny Pacquiao fight continue to swirl. With a large number of people from The Philippines living in Vancouver plus many from down south in Seattle, I believe we will see something big here in early 2009.  

The next fight card with the date and line up still to be announced will be held outdoors at the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam, BC sometime in August. An ESPN return could very well happen before the close of summer. Wednesday’s show could not have gone any better as everyone in each of the six fights came to win and fought hard. There was only one stoppage as Heavyweight Jaime Walton systematically picked apart Mark Friedman until the bout was stopped in the opening stanza. 

North Vancouver native Noriko Kariya, sister of NHL star Paul Kariya made her hometown debut a triumphant one as she scored a big win over veteran Jessica Mohs. Despite a bad cut over his left eye Super Middleweight Junior Moar braved through all the blood to take a six round unanimous decision over James Dearmin. The televised portion of the card was electric with fans and fighters pumped and ready to get it on. Calgary’s Albert Onolonose won an eight round decision over Eddie Sanchez.

Sanchez was knocked down in round one but as the rounds progressed Sanchez seemed to gain more steam and Onolonose started to slow down, ever so slightly. Sanchez said that if the fight was scheduled for ten rounds he would have won. Sanchez blamed a slow start for his setback. Sanchez said he is considering moving with his family to Vancouver from San Diego.

Cruiserweight Kevin Reynolds had his hands full with a game Victor Barragan yet did more than enough to score a decision victory. Reynolds is a bright light on the local boxing scene and his stock will continue to rise. The main event saw Joel Julio up end Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith by a unanimous decision. The announcement drew a large number of boos from the crowd as many thought the former contender alum did more than enough to win, myself included. If anything, Smith’s stock will rise and he is still very much in the mix despite his latest setback.

Joel Julio threw a glove to a lucky fan in the audience and before he could throw the other, a fan threw five hundred dollars cash into the ring and Julio took the money and gave the fan his glove. This was one of the funniest things I have witnessed at any fight card. As always, congratulations to West Coast Boxing Promotions and the River Rock Casino for another fantastic night of great boxing action. As the saying goes, “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

Please make sure to enter the new contest courtesy of BRC for your chance to win a black Everlast speed bag glove signed in silver Sharpie by many of the boxers and trainers featured including Sugar Ray Leonard, Ishe Smith, Jacob “Stitch” Duran, Roger Mayweather, Jesse Reid, Eddie Sanchez, Kevin Reynolds, Noriko Kariya, Russ Anber, Tony Pep, Albert Onolonose and more. The winner will also receive some photos taken at the show along with an official program. To enter please send your name and city, state/province that you reside in to the address below. Winner will be chosen at random next Thursday, May 8th.

Questions/Comments/Contest  westcoastboxing@yahoo.ca