In a gem of a championship fight, Jose 'Carita' Lopez stops Mexican warrior Juan Keb Baas 1:45 into the 11th round. The action packed show was hosted by Miami's Miccosukee Resort and Gaming, promoted by Zabala's 'All Star Boxing: The Next Generation' and the main event was telecast by Telemundo.

I write this report as South Florida prepares to get slammed by hurricane Jeanne, now declared a Category 3 -and intensifying- dangerous storm. Miss Jeanne is the  fourth hurricane to hit our state in the past six weeks.

The boxing tent at Miccosukee's Resort and Gaming was rocking with enthusiasm and anticipation, as hard core local fans took turns encouraging and supporting their favorite fighters. Flags from Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba were highly visible, and we even had a Russian heavyweight show up for this event. His fight led the parade, so let's go to it...

Andre Ivanove -who now makes his home in Orlando- ran into one of the local favorites, Francisco Palacios, and lost a unanimous decision over 4 rounds of heated action. Ivanove, now 2-1, 0 KOs, is raw but could develop into an entertaining fighter to watch. He applies constant pressure, takes and gives a good punch; I would like to see him in action again. As for gritty  Palacios, he certainly passed a tough test against Ivanove to improve his record to 4-0, 3 KOs.

Lenin "Volcano" Arroyo fought six hard rounds against Derrick "Slick" Samuels in the lightweight division. His effort earned him a unanimous decision, as he boosts his record to 10-3-1, 2 KOs. Duly noted was the 'I Love J.' in Arroyo's boxing trunks.

Colombian lightweight contender Oscar 'El Artista' León, rated #7 by the WBA, took center stage next against Raul 'El Matón' Santos. León proved to be way too much for his Mexican foe who was sent packing in 2 rounds; a very strong showing for León.

The next fight was of particular interest to yours truly because of an earlier encounter with one of the participants. Several months ago I had met a young Brazilian boxer at a local gym. At the time he only  had one pro fight, a surprising TKO stoppage of an undefeated local prospect. The fighter in question, who as I recall it had  limited if any amateur experience,  was coming to the gym to spar with a world class, top ranked middleweight, all his gear having been borrowed from a 12-year old kid. 

I watched in disbelief as the Brazilian, lighter in weight, shorter in stature and certainly much more limited in every other aspect, took it to the more experienced fighter. It was a mismatch, no doubt, but the determination, grit and willingness to trade stuck in my mind to this day. I tried talking to the young man after the session, but unfortunately for me, he only spoke Portuguese, and we were limited to exchanging a few words in Spanish. I certainly made a mental note of his name, Edvan, as one to watch... Fast forward to last night...

Edvan Dos Santos Barros, now sporting a perfect 4-0, 4 KOs record, was scheduled to meet one of the most popular young talents in this area, Gilberto 'Sugar' Reyes, (10-2, 7 KOs); theirs a match-up in the welterweight division.  I looked forward to the fight, and from the opening bell it became obvious these two weren't going to hold anything back.

They traded leather for two rounds, and then Edvan got cocky, and got tagged, nothing major, but he was stunned by the hard hitting Reyes who followed up the assault in the next round. After several hard, unanswered flush blows landed to Edvan's head, referee Jorge Alonso halted the bout, only fifty seconds into the third stanza of a scheduled six rounder.

Edvan was upset about the stoppage, and there were dissenters in the audience -as well as- in press row... While I was disappointed that the kid lost his undefeated status, I can't disagree with the arbiter's decision. Better safe than sorry; Edvan will live to fight again. Impressive performance by "Sugar" Reyes who continues to thrill in in Miami.

Talking about a thrill in Miami, next up was David Obregón, the Nicaraguan kid who has become an icon in Zabala's promotions. His contingent of fans is hard to miss, they come 30+ deep, with a noise level to match those numbers.  But wait, last night I noticed another Nicaraguan supporting Obregón... The man in question had flaming red hair, partly covered by a neat cap... His face was indeed familiar, yes, it was none other than Ricardo "El Matador" Mayorga, looking fit and ready to meet his obligation against Felix "Tito" Trinidad this coming Saturday, October 2nd at New York's Madison Square Garden.  I can't wait...

Would the kid who hails from Chontales, Nicaragua disappoint his many followers? Not a chance, although his opponent Jean Baptiste made it a bit  difficult for the young Obregón. These two young fighters brawled and traded freely, but in the end, it was Obregón who dominated with his jab and superior punching power. David Obregón moves on to 7-0, 4 KOs much to the delight of his supportive and loyal fans.

The main event was fast approaching, a rematch between Puerto Rico's Jose 'Carita' Lopez and Mexico's Juan Alfonso Keb Baas, although when they met back in December 2003 Lopez's WBO Latin Flyweight title was not up for grabs. That intense fight ended in a draw; however, it became apparent early on in the encore performance that someone was going to get stopped.

Baas and Lopez traded punches from the opening bell... There was no scientific or analytical approach to it, no plan B, this was an all out  war! Lopez had the advantage in height and reach; he is probably a better technician than Baas as well, but he had no trouble going on one with the Mexican fighter, in or out of the phone booth.

Carita's rangy jab caused an ugly mouse to develop under Baas' right eye, and in the end, the eye did become a factor in the fight. There were low blows by both men, push downs, hitting and holding, too... This fight had it all except a one punch knockout ending. This was about steady and consistent punishment by both men.

Dr. Camille Denis checked on Baas' eye after every round beginning with the 9th, and by now the brave Mexican had little -if any- chance of upsetting the champion. To his credit, referee Frank Santore called a halt to the proceedings 1:45 into the 11th round, deeming that Baas was taking too much punishment.

Let's recognize some of the special guests in attendance. Those of you who have watched Oscar de la Hoya's reality show may be familiar with the young man who was eliminated in the first episode. His name is Arsenio "R C"  Reyes, and he was seen ringside with another participant, the man he refused to fight out of respect for their long standing friendship, Mike 'Pit Bull' Vallejo, former WBO and WBA light welterweight champion Randall Bailey, WBA Interim Junior Flyweight titlist Beibis Mendoza, who squares off against the WBA champion Rosendo 'El Búfalo' Alvarez for all the marbles underneath Mayorga-Trinidad, and of course, Ricardo 'El Matador' Mayorga, who meets the challenge of his career in Felix 'Tito' Trinidad next Saturday, October 2nd, on HBO PPV.

It was another excellent presentation by Tuto Zabala's All Star Boxing: The Next Generation. In closing, let me thank all the young men who gave their 200% in the ring; in my book you are the true champions.

To Visit the Undercard Gallery - Part I Click HERE...

To Visit the Undercard Gallery - Part II Click HERE...

Pictures Are Available HERE...