Ringside Report-San Diego Slugfest

February 12, 2009-The house was packed at the seams at The Four Points Sheraton Hotel in San Diego as a sold out crowd of approximately 1,000 fans gathered to watch Chris Martin and Trinidad Mendoza slug it out for the California State Bantamweight title. The card was promoted by Bobby D Presents.

Chula Vista’s Chris Martin (13-0-2, 2 KOs) defeated Mendoza over eight hard fought rounds en route to a unanimous decision over the always tough Sonora, Mexico native.

Martin used a nice jab in the first round in order to keep Mendoza at bay as he tried to find the proper distance for his long punches.

By the second round, it was obvious that distance was the key to this fight as Martin teed off and Mendoza tried to close gap between them.

Things took a turn in the third as Mendoza came out aggressive and put out a high work rate that won him the round. Mendoza always came forward, stalking Martin and finding a home for his looping hooks.

The fourth was full of exciting exchanges as Martin landed some quick combinations to the body and head. Mendoza was fighting off the ropes and exchanging freely with Martin until the sound of the bell.

Mendoza was more active in the sixth as he landed to the body and then upstairs. Martin came out very active for the seventh round as he threw several combinations that shook Mendoza.

The final round came and both men launched their entire arsenal at each other as the fans wildly cheered them on. Martin secured the advantage by landing the more telling punches. The round ended with both men giving it all they had in order to secure the win.

Master of ceremonies Benny Ricardo announced the judge’s scorecards for Martin, the obvious crowd favorite, as 77-75 and 78-74 (twice).

Ronny Rios outguns Abraham

Former national amateur champion Ronny Rios (3-0, 1 KO) is part of Frank Espinoza’s highly touted stable of fighters which includes world champion Israel Vazquez.

Rios, a nineteen year old out of Santa Ana, displayed his superior class by easily besting the hard as nails Benito Abraham (9-14, 6 KO’s) out of Tijuana.

Rios put on an eye pleasing display of multi punch combinations, speed, accuracy and a tight defense that overwhelmed Abraham throughout the fight. Rios’ bending, rolling and quick combinations to the body and head landed repeatedly as Abraham did his best to put up a competitive fight.

Abraham absorbed the shots and seemed stunned a couple of times but didn’t go down without trying to swing one for the fences. Abraham’s nickname, “Warrior” suits him perfectly since he fights to very last second.

The cards read 40-36 all the way across in an excellent showing for the up and coming super-bantamweight.

Cancio outclasses Orrantia

Junior Middleweight Andrew Cancio (8-1, 8 KOs) proved to be too well schooled for the hard fighting journeyman Jaime Orrantia (10-24-4, 2 KOs) who put up a very good effort despite coming in as a last minute replacement and seemingly out of shape.

Cancio, of Blythe, displayed some very good footwork and accurate punches but lacks some defense as Orrantia seemed to land from the outside on several occasions.

It was in the third round that a flurry of right and left hand combinations along with some uncontested uppercuts led to Orrantia’s corner throwing in the towel at 1:23 of the third round.

Other results:

Oceanside’s Erin Beach, a junior middleweight who made his pro debut, went to war against Mario Angeles, also making his pro debut, of Mexico City in an entertaining scrap. Beach outfought his awkward and rugged opponent who managed to land quite a few of his winging rights and lefts. Beach took the four round decision with scores that read 39-37 all the way across.

Junior middleweight Sergio De La Torre (11-11-2, 1 KO) got the unanimous decision nod over Antonio Sorria (2-4, 2 KOs) of Blythe. The scorecards were 40-36 and 39-37 (twice).

Faces in the crowd:

HBO sports broadcaster Jim Lampley, Middleweight contender Eddie Sanchez, Tony “Bazooka” De Luca and featherweight prospect Emilio Bojorquez.