Connect with us

Articles of 2009

David Rodela Wins At First Club Nokia Fight Card

Published

on

LOS ANGELES-In the first club fight held in downtown Los Angeles in several years, it was Oxnard’s David Rodela who managed to hold off the late-charging Juanito Garcia in a back and forth struggle on Thursday night.

At Club Nokia, the first of a series of Golden Boy Promotion fight cards was a success in showing local talent and proving that Rodela and Garcia (14-3, 5 KOs) were evenly matched before more than 1,700 fans at the new venue.

“I’m excited because I made history tonight,” said Rodela (13-1-3, 6 KOs) about becoming the main event for the first fight card at the music club.

Rodela jumped on the Arizona fighter immediately and landed the quicker and more impressive punches in the early going. But slowly Garcia, who had suffered back-to-back knockout losses, began to find the range.

A right hand in the third round caught Rodela who wobbled slightly but was able to recover. Then, in the fourth round, Rodela landed two big right hands that had Garcia hovering near the ground but his glove never touched the canvas. It looked like the referee was going to step in but Garcia recovered and fought on. Rodela hurt his hand with a right hand on Garcia’s head in the process.

“I didn’t know if it was a knockdown or not. I looked at the referee because I didn’t want to get penalized,” said Rodela. “It should have been a knockdown. But that’s OK. He hurt me too.”

After hurting the right hand, Rodela was forced to rely solely on the left. The rest of the rounds were very tight and hotly contested.

“I don’t get excited when I get hurt. I’ve been hurt by Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton and one thing I learned is not to get excited,” said Rodela about his sparring experience with elite fighters. “Manny Pacquiao told me I can be a banger, but be a smart banger.”

In the final tally judge Vince Delgado scored it 57-56 for Garcia, but judges Ray Corona and Alejandro Rochin scored it 59-55 for Rodela.

In the semi-main event between undefeated featherweights, it was Paramount’s Charles Huerta (11-1, 6 KOs) who proved the extra six pro fights under his belt against Noe Lopez (4-1) were a vast advantage in winning by knockout in the third round. A short 12-inch left hook caught the southpaw Lopez on the chin and down he went. He recovered and was met with a left uppercut-right hand combo that sent him to the floor again. He recovered, but more gingerly beat the count. When the fight resumed a counter right hand by Huerta ended the fight for good with referee Pat Russell counting Lopez out at 1:02 of the third round.

“I was preparing for a right hander when they told me a week ago it was changed to a lefty,” said Huerta, who had more than 200 fans cheering for him. “I had seen him (Lopez) win a national tournament in Mexico.”

Huerta was pinpoint by the second round and dropped Lopez in the second, but it was not counted by the referee. In the third round he used the same left hook to floor Lopez again, this time it counted.

“I knew he was hurt the first time,” Huerta said. “He wobbled a little.”

Orange County’s southpaw slickster Luis Ramos (11-0, 6 KOs) showed more than flash in decking veteran Baudel Cardenas (18-17-2) with a picture perfect right hook at 2:26 of the fifth round of a lightweight bout. Ramos had dropped Cardenas with a left to the body in the first round but the tough Mexican fighter covered up pretty well until the fifth. Referee Lou Moret counted out Cardenas.

Ramos thought for a second that first knockout was the clincher, but it wasn’t.

“I thought I had him with the body shot,” said Ramos who fights out of Santa Ana and is managed by Frank Espinoza, who also manages Israel Vazquez. “I was surprised but he was strong.”

In the past Ramos had blitzed through opponents with early knockouts. But lately the OC fighter has settled into a more scientific boxing rhythm. It helped against the gritty Mexican Cardenas who has 37 pro fights.

“His head popped open and I landed the right hook,” said Ramos.

Oxnard’s Ricky Lopez (4-0) was the more polished fighter in beating Santa Maria’s taller but wilder Rufino Serrano (1-1) in a four round featherweight bout. Lopez was able to take advantage of Serrano’s sloppy defense to convince the judges 40-36.

Serrano has good tools but most of his punches are wide and he telegraphed almost every punch except the uppercut. Each time he pressured Lopez and fired uppercuts they landed. Serrano was close to winning the second round but was tagged repeatedly by left hooks at the end of the stanza.

Their contest was voted Fight of the Night by the Versus crew Bernard Hopkins, Doug Fischer and Mario Solis.

In the last bout of the evening Santa Ana’s Jose Roman survived a first round knockdown from Wilmington’s Ramon Flores. In the second round Roman rallied and fired a big right hand that froze Flores and left him vulnerable for four more big blows before referee Lou Moret stopped it for a knockout at 43 seconds of the round. Flores needed nearly five minutes to recover but was able to walk out.

In attendance were Mario Lopez, Sugar Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz and Sergio Mora. After the fights ended most of the crowd stayed to watch the L.A. Laker-Orlando Magic finals play game 4. When Fisher made the three-point shot you would have thought you were across the street at the Staples Center, the cheers were that loud.

Club Nokia looks like a perfect fit for boxing.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles5 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles15 hours ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles15 hours ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles5 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending