The Show Must Go On: Martin Keeps The Belt

It was a tough week for the promoting partnership of Bobby DePhillipis and Jorge Marron who lost a dear friend and business partner as Lorraine Chargin succumbed to her battle with cancer. “She was a tough woman to do business with but she was also a great lady and she’ll be missed,” stated DePhillipis. There were thoughts of possibly postponing the show but the organizers realized that it was better to go on as planned since the late Mrs. Chargin herself would’ve wanted it that way.

In front of approximately 850 people, Chula Vista’s Chris “Kid” Martin (16-0, 5 KO’s) of San Diego boxed and countered his way towards a knockout victory over the gritty Ruben “Finito” Lopez (14-7-1, 13 KO’s) of Calexico in a scheduled ten round defense of his California Super bantamweight belt. The well schooled Martin proved to be too quick and slick for his charging opponent who came to make a fight out of the situation from the very first round but found himself outgunned. Lopez landed some nice body shots in the second and third but Martin’s response was brutal and concise as he frequently shook up the Calexico fighter.

Damaging uppercuts in the fourth round along with an assortment of hooks to the face and body landed nicely for Martin who was wearing his opponent down. The fifth was all Martin who landed effectively from the outside. Lopez came forward bravely as Martin teed off. The round ended with a flurry from both men with Lopez again getting the worst of it.

It was during the sixth round that the venue’s fire alarm was pulled, the bout was momentarily halted and in danger of being stopped. The problem was resolved a few minutes later. The fight resumed and so did the beating as Martin landed every punch he threw. Lopez caught an over-hand left from Martin and went down just as the round ended.

It was during the break before the seventh round that Lopez’s corner advised referee Jose Cobian that their fighter could no longer continue.

Ring announcer Benny Ricardo called the result as a TKO stoppage in the sixth.

“I gave myself a B in the ring tonight. I could’ve done a lot better,” Martin said afterwards. “I’m ready to step up. I want my name to get out there and I know I’m going to have to fight bigger names. I’m interested in fighting Rico Ramos or Chris Avalos.”

Female warriors collide:
In the semi main event, San Diegan Amaris Quintana (2-0-2) took on “Mighty” Melissa McMorrow (3-1-3) of San Jose in light flyweight rematch. The two buzz-saws entered the ring and quickly heated things up as both came out to do damage with some blistering combinations.

The second was a pretty even round as the leather flew and both women caught their share of shots.

The third and fourth were carbon copies. McMorrow came forward and Quintana boxed, circled and countered effectively. McMorrow kept landing a stiff right which bloodied Quintana’s nose. Quintana was able to land some nice body shots in both rounds which were becoming increasingly hard to score.

Nice jabs and counters by Quintana in the fifth as she began to break down McMorrow who was starting to show the effects and backing up for the first time in the fight. The sixth came and McMorrow found some success as she landed several straight rights which again bloodied Quintana’s nose.

The decision was 57-57, 58-56 (McMorrow) and 59-55 (Quintana). A split draw that seemed fair from press row but unfortunately was unpopular with the fans.

Chris “Toro” Chatman (7-1, 3 KO’s) and Steve Macomber (3-8-1) mixed it up in a Super middleweight bout. It was a competitive first round as both men landed a variety of shots but didn’t cause any major damage. Chatman proved his superior athletic ability in the second as he easily maneuvered himself into punching position with some quick footwork and fast flurries that befuddled his slower opponent.

Macomber, who’s tough as nails, took a Mike Tyson like onslaught from Chatman that seemed to last forever in the third round. He finally succumbed after being dropped twice. It was at 2:51that referee Jose Cobian made the decision to stop the fight.

Opening the show were Super featherweights Luis Sanchez and Artur Bernetsyan of Glendale by way of Armenia. Bernetsyan dropped Sanchez in the first and third rounds with straight lefts. Bernetsyan continued battering the gutsy fighter who was making his pro debut. The fight was stopped in the fourth after referee Tony Crebs consulted with the ring doctor who felt Sanchez had enough. Bernetsyan improved his record to (2-0, 1 KO).

Ten Count:
A ten count was given for Lorraine Chargin and trainer Hector Gil who was shot to death in a Vista, California gym. Up and comer Ricky Gutierrez was also shot during the incident but survived. Former trainer for Danny Perez, Mark Diaz, has been arrested for the crime.

Faces in the crowd:
W.E.C. Champion Dominick Cruz was in the audience as was hot prospect Emilio Bojorquez and San Diego boxing staple Tony “Bazooka” De Luca.

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