Dominic Breazeale Leads “Night of the Heavyweights” at Fantasy Springs

When towering Charles Martin walked up the short steps of the boxing ring and then stepped over the top ropes, it brought a chorus of oohs and aahs. That’s what a heavyweight brings to a fight card.

How many flyweights are even as tall as the top strand of the boxing ring?

Former U.S. Olympian Dominic Breazeale (9-0, 9 Kos) meets Nagy Aguilera (19-7, 13 Kos) on Thursday, April 3 at Fantasy Springs Casino. The Golden Boy Promotions card called “Night of Heavyweights” will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

Breazeale is one of those second story heavyweights that are beginning to dominate the big boy division. There were tall heavyweights back in the 60s and 70s, but now it’s very common to see a heavyweight six to nine inches over six-feet tall.

Former heavyweight John Bray trains Breazeale and like his protégé he’s well over six-feet tall.

“Dominic takes instructions very well,” said Bray, who was an amateur star in his day. “He soaks up everything I tell him.”

Breazeale, whose nickname is “Trouble,” was a quarterback at Univ. of Northern Colorado. Learning the skills of boxing can’t be done overnight but his athleticism has accelerated the learning curve. Heavyweights have that one equalizer that can override the lack of skills, that’s a good knockout punch.

In his last fight against Homer Fonseca, he discovered there are heavyweights that can take his blockbuster punch on the chin and keep on coming. That’s where skills and endurance can make the difference in a fight.

Facing Breazeale will be Aguilera, 27, a veteran who’s fought a number of good heavyweights like Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola, Tomasz Adamek and Samuel Peter. He lost to those heavyweights but knocked out Oleg Maskaev, who was two fights removed from holding the WBC heavyweight title. He can hit too and the former Olympian knows this.

“Nagy Aguilera is a tough seasoned veteran and this bout is definitely my toughest thus far in my career and will be a good test for me,” said Breazeale, age 28.

The heavyweight dominated fight card also features two other heavyweight bouts at the Indio casino. That area of Southern California breeds boxers like it raises vegetables in its nearby fields. But heavyweights are pretty rare in the desert region.

Also on the boxing card will be undefeated Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz (20-0, 17 Kos) meeting Monte Barrett (35-10-2) in a pairing of older heavyweights. Barrett, 42, has been a gate-keeper for heavyweights for many years and recently defeated David Tua. Ortiz is 35.

Another heavyweight clash pits former USC Trojan Gerald Washington (11-0, 8 Kos) against Skipp Scott (16-1, 10 KO). Washington is half African-American and half Mexican and speaks Spanish fluently. He was a defensive end in college and signed with Al Haymon. His nickname is “El Gallo Negro” which means the Black Rooster.

One non-heavyweight to watch will be Diego De La Hoya, the cousin of Oscar De La Hoya who promotes him and whose brother Joel De La Hoya manages the 19-year-old. De La Hoya has some eye-popping talent. He’s one of those fighters who you need to see in person to hear the power of his speedy blows. Trainer Joel Diaz calls him a “can’t miss champion.”

Other fight chatter

Coachella’s Randy Caballero (20-0, 12 Kos) fights Japan’s Kohei Oba (35-2-1, 14 Kos) for the number one spot in the IBF bantamweight rankings. The elimination bout takes place Friday, April 4 in Kobe, Japan. Caballero is trained by Lee Espinoza.

Jose Benavidez (19-0, 14 Kos) won the battle of welterweight prospects by decision over Prince Doku (18-5, 12 Kos) on Saturday. Their six-round bout took place in Las Vegas. Also, East L.A.’s Vic Pasillas (6-0, 3 Kos) defeated Jerry Guevara (8-2-1) by decision in a featherweight clash.

Female IBF junior bantamweight titlist Debora Dionicius (16-0, 5 Kos) won by technical knockout over Neisi Torres (11-2-1, 7 Kos) of Colombia at 1:43 of round four. The world title fight took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dionicius hails from that country.

Former lightweight world champion Nate Campbell (37-11-1, 26 Kos) moved up to junior middleweight and defeated Gilbert Venegas (12-14-4) by unanimous decision on Saturday in Destin, Florida. Campbell, 42, had never fought about 147 pounds. It was his first win in nearly two years.

Female WBO junior lightweight titlist Ramona Kuehne (22-1, 8 Kos) stopped Hungary’s Gina Chamie (8-1) at the end of round six. Germany’s Kuehne made her sixth consecutive defense of the world title. The fight was held in Brandenburg, Germany. Chamie was unable to continue due to an elbow injury.

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