ZABALA'S LAST EVENT OF 2002 REAFFIRMS HIS SUCCESS AS A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE PROMOTIONAL GAME By Elisa Harrison

All Star Boxing, 'The New Generation,' headed by Félix "Tuto" Zabala, Jr. closed out the year 2002 with another action packed and exciting card hosted by the Miccosukee Gaming and Resort, and televised live by Boxeo Telemundo.

As added attractions to this event, Zabala delivered two special treats. Carlos 'Sugar' de León, Jr. and Roberto Duran, Jr., sons of the famous Puerto Rican and Panamanian boxers respectively. De León Jr. opened the show and Duran, Jr. closed it in a very exciting way. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself...

Opener pitted a lanky, undefeated and promising Carlos de León, Jr. against sacrificial lamb Stacey Williams. 'Sugar' Jr. started out head hunting a bit, but quickly regrouped and began to pound Williams to the body, thoroughly dominating the first stanza.

This son of a famous father, former cruiserweight champion Carlos de León, throws a good looking stiff jab, an even better left hook, and wastes very little. His footwork is quite good, the speed is decent and by the end of the second round, Williams' corner had stepped up to the ring apron, (throwing the towel doesn't get a fight stopped), unseen to referee Armando García, who was keeping a very close eye on the action, his back turned to the Williams corner. Seconds later arbiter García put a halt to the action, 2:45 into the 2nd round.

By the time Williams reached his corner, he was throwing up uncontrollably, spitting blood and looking like a guy who needs to find a day job in a hurry.

Call it nostalgia if you want to, but 'Sugar' Jr. reminded me of a young version of Cupey Alto's favorite son. The delivery of the hook certainly had traces of Tito written all over it; we look forward to seeing more of this young man in 2003.

Next bout marked the debut of Bayamón, Puerto Rico's own Edgardo Santos versus Argentinean Victor Darío Gimenez in the heavyweight category.

When Santos climbed into the ring, the crowd roared with laughter; the guy looks a bit like Fred Flintstone in stature and build; not what one would envision for a heavyweight prospect. However, by the time the first round was over, the boricua had won them over; the whole arena was cheering for him, totally involved in his performance.

The lack of experience didn't stop Santos from landing good combinations in the first round; his chin was there, and there was no doubt that he came to fight. Gimenez clocked him with powerful right hooks to the body, which sent Santos to his corner sucking for air, but still interested in forcing the action.

By the third round, Santos taunts Gimenez, much to the crowd's delight. In center ring, Santos put his guard down, and asks: "Me tienes miedo?" and the fanaticada can't help but love this guy. He stings Gimenez with some brutal right hands to the body, making him retrieve to safer ground.

The fourth round was as good as the first three. Gimenez suffered a small cut to his right cheek, courtesy of a Santos' bomb, not a head butt, and Santos is seen gasping for air as the final bell tolls.

The decision is announced, 39-37 on all three cards for Victor Gimenez, and the crowd lets the judges have it. They boo soundly, and chants of "el boricua got robbed" are heard throughout the arena.

In one of the highlights of the night, Santos was seen mingling with the crowd, still in his boxing trunks, a towel wrapped around his broad shoulders. He sat with aficionados all over the arena, a gesture that I'm sure won't be forgotten by the appreciative Miami crowd.

Zabala, Jr. was overheard telling the fans while the Santos taunting was going on: "Oye, es cañonero!!" A round of sound laughter followed the timely commentary by the young promoter.

Good looking Dominican prospect Julio Cárdenas dominates Javier Portilla in his pro debut, scoring a shut out, 40-35 all. Following a body shot in the third round, Portilla takes a knee only to be swarmed against the ropes when he beats the count.

Portilla got pummeled to the body in the fourth and last round, hit with some nice shots to the head as well. Cárdenas dictated the pace with an accurate jab; showed superior foot work and conditioning. The crowd loved this youngster and was in 100% agreement with the judges decision.

Lenin Arroyo, from San José, Costa Rica steps up to meet Miami's Keith Mayor in a junior lightweight four rounder. Mayor is cut over the left brow in the first round, hurt to the body and otherwise wrapped by Arroyo. He complains that he can't see to referee Frank Cantore, but ref does not stop the bout. Dr. Ramón Garcia-Septien, sporting a new bohemian look, does put an end to it, and mercifully so.

Mayor argues that the cut was the result of a head butt, not a punch, as Lenin Arroyo did roughhouse a lot, throwing elbows, shoulders and head butts in similar proportion to legal blows.

The decision is announced as a 'No Contest' since the fight only went one round, and according to the Miccosukee Boxing Commission's rules a fight must go a minimum of three rounds in order to be awarded a decision.

Elegant René Suazo, the voice of Boxeo Telemundo, does an excellent job of explaining to the crowd the reason for the decision and the rules of the bout. Announcer wannabes, take note, this is how the job is done.

Hugo Dianzo and Jorge Otero follow the order, in an 8 rounder in the bantamweight division.

"Canelito" Dianzo seemed the stronger of the two fighters, and although he was hit low several times throughout the match, managed to pull off a well deserved unanimous decision 78-74, 79-73 and 77-75.

Both fighters showed up in great physical condition, but Dianzo impressed with superior stamina, footwork and chin. Score this bout another crowd pleaser.

In a total overdose of action, Cuauhtemoc "Famosito" Gómez takes center stage against world class contender Luis Bolaños, from Córdoba, Colombia.

Bolaños steps up to the plate undefeated, and ranked #1 by the WBO, #5 by the IBF, #7 by the WBA and #4 by the WBC. "Famosito" brings his own set of credentials as a former FECARBOX champion and veteran of many wars etched all over his face.

This bout is nothing short of what was expected. Gómez is outclassed, outworked, out boxed by a slick Bolaños. Nevertheless, "Famosito" banks the house on his right hand, throws it with the meanest of intentions and manages to land it several times throughout the match. Bolaños packs some TNT of his own, dropping the Mexican veteran in the second and in the eighth courtesy of a picture perfect straight left. "Famosito" ends up a bloody mess, cut over both eyes and spewing the red fluid out of his nose, which looked as if it may have been broken.

He raises his hands in victory at the end of the match, but his eyes told me a different story. He knows, the crowd knows and the judges confirm it; a unanimous decision for Bolaños who looks to fight for a title in the year 2003, preferably against Fernando Montiel. Scores tell the story, 100-88, 100-88 and 99-89.

Next, the main event of the evening, a 12 rounder for the FEDECENTRO bantamweight title between Colombian Francisco "La Araña" Tejedor and Mexican Gerardo "Locomotora" Espinoza.

Espinoza had Tejedor's number from the opening round, hurting the Colombian several times. The inevitable end came 2:30 into the tenth assault when the NABO champion and #2 WBO seed, slashed open Tejedor's right eye, courtesy of a powerful and precise right hand.

Referee Armando García consulted with the ringside physician who felt that the cut was too deep for the former IBF flyweight champion to continue.

Closing the show, the much anticipated and heralded debut of Roberto Duran, Jr. in Miami. Duran Jr. is scheduled to face Brooklyn, New York's Joe Sanchez, now a Tampa resident, in a four rounder in the welterweight division.

This sacrificial lamb was quite different from the one fed to 'Sugar' de Leon, Jr. This one was testy, and hell bent on playing the role of the spoiler.

Let's talk about Roberto Duran, Jr. for a second. He is tall, lanky, good looking, very articulate and charismatic. We all got that much at the press conference held two days before the event. Unanswered question was, can he fight?

Answer: Yes, he can fight. He is green in many ways; as we already reported he lacks amateur experience, and only has four pro bouts, spread out over a long period of time. In all fairness to him, had his name been Smith or Perez, we wouldn't have expected much.

However, carrying the Duran name on his shoulders, the young man took all that Sanchez could deliver and gave it all he had. When it looked as though the Duran train was about to be derailed, Sanchez got caught with a straight right to the temple, which he tried to play off as inconsequential. Huge mistake, as Duran's fast and accurate right hand delivered three more of the same, causing Sanchez to collapse over the bottom rope, face first onto the ring skirt, right in front of yours truly, landing with such force that he opened up a deep cut on his forehead across both eyebrows.

For a few scary moments the doctors worked on Sanchez until he was able to sit up and return to this planet; bleeding quite a bit, and looking like he had ran into a freight train. Somehow, the 'manos de piedra' theme became a real possibility for Junior. The crowd roared with delight, and the son of the legendary Duran was declared the winner by KO at 2:30 of the fourth round.

Had Zabala written the script for the evening it couldn't have played any better or ended in a more exciting way.

In a post fight interview, Roberto Jr. admitted to needing much more work; he was quick to point out that he hadn't fought in over a year, and that overall, he was pleased with his performance.

Zabala told us that although Junior did cause him some anxious moments, he finished the way a champion does, overcoming odds and showing a great heart and courage.

When asked how he rated the evening's proceedings, Zabala, ever so humble, said: "One can't be self-serving, so I will rate the card a B." We pressed him for his thoughts on Duran Jr.'s debut in Miami, and here he was exuberant, adding: "I rate the debut a huge success, and I am looking forward to bigger and better things from him in the future."

"Tutico" thanked all who have helped and supported him throughout this year, in particular the fighters. He also sent a heartfelt message of gratitude to the fans, who continue to pack his promotions, and who make all the hard work worthwhile. Message is hereby delivered, with pleasure.

Switching stances, I would like to thank Zabala Jr. and his staff, the Miccosukee Boxing Commission and its staff for always treating our site with utmost respect and dignity.

In a Larry Merchant moment, allow me to reflect on a thought that came to mind. As I was penning this report's closing, I searched for a way to express what my heart was dictating, and here it is...

Definition of Wisdom: the understanding and insight that come from experience. Félix Zabala, Jr. is the WISE keeper of the Zabala legacy flame. He has the clear understanding and insight that came from watching and working with his famed dad Félix Zabala, Sr. and those who made up the senior Zabala's inner circle.

Promoter wannabes, take note. Finesse, hard work, wisdom, above all, wisdom... that's what it takes in this game, that's what gets the job done!

A proud keeper of the flame, Félix "Tutico" Zabala, Jr., the new generation indeed...

P.S. In da house at the Miccosukee show, WBA welterweight champion of the world, Ricardo "El Matador" Mayorga. This card was dedicated to him, with Zabala pledging support for Mayorga in his quest for unification against WBC title holder Vernon Forrest, on January 25, 2003, at The Pechanga Resort & Casino, in Temecula, California.

Last but not least, congratulations are in order for the young men who thrilled the crowd with their a cappella rendition of the National Anthem. Adrian, Miguel and Leo make up the group UNISON, and they were terrific! I happened to notice members of the Commission wiping their eyes at the end of the delivery. You can visit the youngsters at the Unison fan website.