Avila Perspective, Chap. 195: Latino Heavyweights in L.A. and More Fight News

Avila Perspective, Chap. 195: Latino Heavyweights in L.A. and More Fight News

Once upon a time the son of migrant working parents was selected at random to fight the heavyweight champion of the world and won.

That was Andy “the Destroyer” Ruiz and for multiple months he held three heavyweight world titles and was the toast of the town everywhere he landed. Banquets, drinks and cheers greeted the first Mexican world champion.

It was a dreamlike world that lasted six months and then it was over on December 7, 2019. Ironically Pearl Harbor Day.

Ruiz returns to the forefront and this time meets a fellow Latino heavyweight in Luis “King Kong” Ortiz who has had several attempts at the world title and failed. Both met in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Chicano heavyweight Ruiz and Cuba’s Ortiz desire another crack at the heavyweight titles now held by Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. The two Latinos will meet in Los Angeles on September 4, on a Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena. The TGB Promotions card will be shown on FOX pay-per-view.

“I love fighting here in California. I always wanted to fight at this arena. The first time I ever saw Luis Ortiz fight was here at this arena, and my dad told me that one day I was going to fight him. Now that day is here,” said Ruiz, the former world champion.

Ortiz, 43, had two previous cracks at the WBC heavyweight title and lost against Deontay Wilder in 2018 and 2019. Those remain the Cuban lefty’s only losses.

“As of right now we’re preparing for the best Andy Ruiz. We know that he’s not just any fighter. He’s a former world champion and that doesn’t happen by luck. I’m ready for him and may the best man win,” said Ortiz. “This fight is going to end in a knockout. I’m sure Andy thinks the same thing. This one isn’t going to go 12 rounds.”

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and former world champion Abner Mares are also on the Sept. 4 TGB Promotions fight card in separate bouts.

Featherweight Clash

Two non-stop punching featherweights meet when Joet Gonzalez (25-2, 15 KOs) and Isaac Dogboe (23-2, 15 KOs) fight on Saturday July 23, at Grand Casino Hinckley in Minnesota. The 10-round fight will be streamed on ESPN+.

If you’ve ever seen either fighter, you know they fight with passion and irreverence. Both seek to destroy. Winning by points is not the goal.

Gonzalez, 28, has fought many of the best in the business and come very close to emerging victorious. Losses to world champions Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete are actually badges of honor.

Dogboe, 27, formerly held the super bantamweight world title and also lost twice to Emanuel Navarrete. Despite those two losses no one else has been able to defeat him.

Many expect a whirlwind of blows in this fight.

Southern California Crush

Three smaller fight cards battle each other in the area known as the Inland Empire in Southern California.

First, Thompson Boxing Promotions presents a fight card on Friday July 22, at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

George “El Yuyu” Acosta (12-1) fights Mexico’s Isaac “Canelito” Avelar (16-4) in the 10-round main event.

Also on the fight card will be Richard Brewart, Nelson Oliva and Japhethee Llamido.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Saturday

On Saturday two boxing cards battle on the same day within 10 miles of each other.

MarvNation Promotions stages a large fight card at the Derby Room on Pomona Fairgrounds in Pomona, Calif. One of the main bouts includes Vlad Panin versus Hevinson Herrera on Saturday July 23. Doors open at 6 p.m. It will be shown on FITE.TV pay-per-view.

Redboxing Promotions presents a fight card at the Lumcolor Center in Ontario, Calif. The address is 11255 Central Avenue. Slated for the main event is Christian Camacho versus Alexis De Luna. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Fights to Watch

Sat. ESPN+ 3:45 p.m. Joet Gonzalez (25-2) vs Isaac Dogboe (23-2).

Sat. FITE.TV 6 p.m. Angel Rodriguez (10-1) vs Gabriel Gutierrez (7-13).

Photo credit: Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

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