Ringside at the Belasco: Charles Huerta Wins Battle of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – Charles Huerta faced undefeated Ivan Delgado in a battle of Los Angeles and won by knockout in a fight that was fierce in the few rounds it lasted on Friday.

The win seemingly puts Huerta back in the hunt.

With a large crowd from Paramount and Maywood supporting Huerta (19-5, 12 KOs) and a loud big crowd from South Central L.A. voicing their support for Delgado (11-1-1, 4 KOs) it was anybody’s guess who would leave disappointed.

On this night Huerta used his experience to time Delgado’s speedy combinations and floor him first with a one-two combination that sent him tumbling along the ropes. Delgado got up shakily and was met by a six-punch barrage of well-placed blows and down he went with referee Tom Taylor not bothering to count.

Huerta was declared the winner after 36 seconds of round three.

“He was a tough fighter but I knew I had to stick to the jab,” said Huerta. “As the fight went on I was seeing everything he was giving me.”

Just last December Huerta lost a close split decision to Carlos Morales, a fighter on a 17-fight unbeaten streak. Many strongly believed Huerta won that fight. He did not complain and Golden Boy Promotions simply put him in another test and Delgado bravely took the fight. Huerta showed once again he has risen to another level.

“Coming into this fight I knew my experience was key,” said Huerta.

Years ago Huerta was a Golden Boy Promotions fighter. But after a couple of losses he was dropped. Now, after nearly a decade Huerta could be back with the promotion company. We’ll see.

Other Bouts

In the semi-main event East L.A.’s Jonathan Navarro (9-0, 6 KOs) knocked out Mexico’s Joan Valenzuela (4-8-1, 4 KOs) with a right to the body. Navarro was in control every round of the super welterweight fight. The match was stopped at 2:21 of the fifth round.

Manny Robles Jr. (12-0, 4 KOs) returned to fight on a Golden Boy card and looked sharp in defeating Durango, Mexico’s Antonio Martinez (6-9, 5 KOs) by unanimous decision after six rounds. The son of famed trainer Manny Robles showed sharp counter left hooks and blows to the body. By the third round Robles was picking apart Martinez. Two judges scored it 60-54 for Robles and a third 59-55 in the super featherweight fight.

Robles showed marked improvement since his pro debut on a Golden Boy card in 2012.

Pablo Rubio Jr. (9-0, 3 KOs) entered the ring with his manager LA Lakers player Metta World Peace to the applause of the crowd. But Mexico City’s Angel Aguilar (6-9, 5 KOs) did not seem to care and gave the hometown favorite six ultra-competitive rounds that saw Rubio win by unanimous decision 59-55 on all three judge’s cards.

Rubio staggered Aguilar in the third round of their super featherweight clash but that was the only round that the Whittier boxer was able to convincingly win. All the other rounds saw each fighter land solid blows. Aguilar proved to be a very capable boxer.

Edgar Valerio (10-0, 6 KOs) connected with a left hook to the jaw of Francisco Dominguez (8-12, 2 KOs) to win by knockout at the end of the second round. The fighter from Juarez, Mexico could not continue after the single blow win.

Valerio had a couple of previous fights evaporate for one reason or another but despite the setbacks, the South Central L.A. boxer seemed composed and focused even after receiving a low blow to the cup. It was all Valerio in the featherweight contest.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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