Bojorquez Wants Running Water

Images of his baby boy Angel Emilio and his wife flash through the mind of Emilio Bojorquez (12-1, 10 KOs) before he steps into the ring at Bobby D’s show at the Four Points Sheraton in San Diego. The talented super featherweight is less than an hour away from his home across the border in one of the many “colonias” in Tijuana but the two worlds couldn’t be further apart.

Bojorquez, 21, is literally trying to fight his way into 2009. Living without running water or electricity in one of the poorest sections of Tijuana with his young family is something he can deal with but it’s also something he wants to leave behind. Bojorquez came from the state of Sonora to Tijuana in order to jump start his boxing career after being a Mexican national amateur champion. “This is the sport I became passionate about and this is what I hope will turn into a nice career so that I can give my family what they need,” Bojorquez said after he defeated Trinidad Mendoza (24-20, 19 KOs) by fifth round TKO on Thursday.

“He’s really talented and strong,” Mendoza would say of Bojorquez after the fight. A credible statement from someone who’s fought some of the top fighters in the world including world champions Israel Vazquez and Jhonny Gonzalez.

Mendoza, a last minute replacement, stalked his much taller opponent from the first round as Bojorquez boxed effectively and countered beautifully. It was in the third round that Bojorquez’s precise left hook to the body dropped Mendoza for the first time.

Mendoza beat the count and survived the round on sheer will. It was two more brutal body shots, one in the fourth and another in the fifth that finished matters for Bojorquez as Mendoza was counted out by referee Tony Crebs. The time was announced to the crowd of an estimated 650 by Benny Ricardo as 1:16 of the fifth round. “He’s a tough guy for anyone but I need bigger fights at this moment,” Bojorquez said afterwards. “I know there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Santa Ana’s Ronny Rios (4-0, 1KO) looked like he had a first round knockout after landing a brutal body shot on his opponent Frank Gutierrez (1-6, 1KO). Gutierrez went down to one knee and it seemed like he wasn’t getting up when the call was somehow changed to a slip by referee Pat Russell. Rios used his superior speed and polish to out land and outwork his gritty opponent who mauled him throughout most of the fight.

Rios, a super bantamweight who was a former national amateur champion and fights out of the Espinoza Boxing Club, punished Gutierrez through the night with fluid and well placed combinations that shook the San Bernardino fighter. It was a landslide of 40-36 on the judges’ cards, who scored it unanimously for the promising nineteen year old.

Antonio Orozco (2-0, 2 KO’s) looked impressive in stopping the far more experienced Juan Carlos Diaz (8-2, 7 KO’s) at 1:06 of the first round with a vicious left hook that dropped the Mexico City native in dramatic fashion. Diaz got up before the end of the count on wobbly knees as referee Tony Crebs waved off the action to which Diaz protested.

Local welterweight Jesse Isaias went to war against Ramiro Rodriguez in what was perhaps one of the most exciting club fights in recent memory. The four rounder started with Isaias coming out strong and attacking Rodriguez who brought out his own powerful arsenal and soon they were exchanging violent combinations. It was a thriller from start to finish that left the fans standing on their feet in appreciation of both men who were making their pro debut. The cards were read 39-37 (twice) and 39-36 for Isaias.

Honored:

Bobby D Presents recognized San Diego trainer Joe Lopez and manager Lou Messina for their many years of work within the local boxing scene.

Faces in the crowd:

Former world champion Terry Norris, middleweight contender Alfredo “Perro” Angulo, former contender Tony “Bazooka” De Luca.

Next show:

According to Bobby D, April 30th has been slated as the next date for the promotion.