Tijuana’s Burgos Remains Undefeated With KO

CORONA, CALIF.-Tijuana’s undefeated Juan Carlos Burgos made the trek north to try his rather untested skills against Cathedral City’s Adam Carrera in  a featherweight contest on Friday. He passed the test.

Before more than 1,700 at Omega Products International a left hook to the body at 1:52 of the third round ended the night for Carrera (19-3, 8 KOs) in a fight that looked pretty even until the final blow. The fight card was promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions.

“I was looking for that punch,” said Burgos (15-0, 13 KOs). “We had talked before the fight to look for the knockout after the third round.”

As Carrera moved aggressively forward against the three-inches taller moving Burgos the end came suddenly in the outdoor arena.

Burgos showed good speed and a straight lethal right hand that jolted Carrera several times in the very first round. The Cathedral City fighter made adjustments and focused on a body attack that seemed to slow Burgos.

A sneaky left hook to the ribs of the fast-attacking Carrera ended the fight in the third round in a bout that looked like it would go the distance.

“I hurt my hamstring in that round,” said Carrera who was counted out by referee Raul Caiz Jr.

Burgos, 18, was flanked by several notable members of his Tijuana crew including Alex “Terra” Garcia, the former junior middleweight champion and Mako Martinez another former world champion.

It was retribution for Tijuana, whose fighter Luis Arceo was KO’d by Josesito Lopez last week.

San Diego middleweight James “Choco” Parison, a former amateur standout, returned to the Inland area against Michigan’s Anthony Cannon (4-6) and stopped him at 2:52 of the second round. A barrage of 20 body punches forced referee Jose Cobian to halt the fight as Cannon offered little in return.

“It’s been a long road I’ve been battling injuries for a while,” said Parison (8-0, 2 KOs). “I hope to fight every month if possible.”

Santa Ana’s Edgard Vargas (11-3) and L.A.’s Odi Rivera (5-12-3) featured two prizefighters accustomed to fighting inside and knowing how to adjust. After six rounds the three judges felt Vargas showed more technique in giving him a unanimous decision

60-54. Vargas may be Rialto’s Dominic Salcido’s next opponent in September.

Riverside’s Rafael Lopez, the younger brother of lightweight contender Josesito Lopez, knocked out West Covina’s Patrick Bruny (0-1) with a four-punch combination at 1:00 of the first round of their junior middleweight bout. Moments earlier Lopez (1-0) dropped Bruny with a right hand. It was the 18-year-old Lopez’s first pro fight.

A lightweight contest between Nevada’s Jackson Bussell (1-2-1) and Santa Ana’s Ernesto Lara (0-1-0) ended in a majority draw after four rounds. The judges scored it 39-37 Bussell, and 38-38 twice. It was Lara’s pro debut.

A junior middleweight bout between Riverside’s Mauricio Herrera and Coachella’s Angel Osuna opened up the fight card. Herrera showed plenty of ring experience for a fighter making his pro debut and won a unanimous decision over the taller Osuna 39-37 on all three judges scorecards. It was also Osuna’s pro debut in an action-packed bout.

Other Boxing Chatter:

Arreola returns

Riverside heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (21-0, 19 KOs) will be fighting Thomas Hayes (26-1, 18 KOs) of Chicago at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. It’s the first time Arreola has fought in Ontario since 2004. He fought in a total of four fight cards in that venue. The undefeated Arreola has taken the heavyweight world by storm with nine consecutive knockout wins. Five of those bouts have been televised. Telefutura will televise the early fight card that begins at 5 p.m. It’s a big opportunity to see Arreola in action. Hayes is a boxer-puncher who hasn’t lost since his third fight four years ago.

For tickets or information call (714) 935-0900. The fight card will be co-promoted by Thompson Boxing and Goossen-Tutor Promotions.

Lights Out back in December

James “Lights Out” Toney attended a fight card last week in Los Angeles and says he will be back in the ring in December this year. The former middleweight, super middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight champion was suspended recently for steroids and appealed before the California State Athletic Commission. His suspension was cut in half and ends in November.

“We’re talking with Hasim Rahman about a rematch,” said Toney while in Los Angeles on Thursday. “We also might do something with Joe Mesi. We’ll see.”

Sergio Mora and James Kirkland

Middleweight contender Sergio Mora has been sparring with tough southpaw James Kirkland in Los Angeles.

Mora, who is undefeated, faces former junior middleweight champion Kassim Ouma on Sept. 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. It’s a big test for Mora who is a decided underdog against Ouma.  Mora remains undefeated.

Kirkland is also undefeated and fights on Sept. at Chumash Casino the site of his last four fights. The Texan has tremendous power but lacks the more subtle skills needed for the upper echelon. But if you need strength he’s got plenty.

Javier Jauregui

Former world champion lightweight Javier Jauregui has been preparing for his showdown against Colorado’s Adrian Mora at Coachella Boxing Club.

Jauregui is sparring with no other than IBF lightweight titleholder Julio Diaz who took the belt from him three years ago in San Diego. The Guadalajara native faces Mora on Sept. 18 at Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California. The fight is promoted by Roy Englebrecht Promotions.

Diaz is preparing for his lightweight world championship unification bout against Texan Juan Diaz on Oct. 13.

Ruben Castanon, who trains Jauregui, says the two former foes offer a perfect blend of aggressiveness and guile.

“They’ve been giving each other great work,” said Castanon whose gym Capital Punishment is located in Riverside. “They really respect each other.”