Manny Robles III KOs Tijuana’s Jose Estrella in L.A.

LOS ANGELES-Third generation prizefighter Manny Robles III (pictured on the right) used the knowledge of his family tree to pick apart Tijuana’s Jose Estrella on route to a fifth round stoppage on Friday night.

Robles (14-0, 6 KOs), coached by his father, who was coached by his grandfather, dominated Estrella (18-13-1, 12 KOs) before several hundred fans at Belasco Theater. His father Manny Robles Jr. is his trainer and his late grandfather was considered one of the wizards of the sport before his death in 2007.

It was Robles first foray as a main event fighter and facing him was a Tijuana veteran of various border wars. Nothing less was expected.

After a round of Robles leading the action, Estrella played his part in the second round and was unleashing some serious combinations. But with 20 seconds left in the round Robles caught the over-anxious Estrella with a counter left hook and dropped the Tijuana boxer. It was all Robles from that point on.

Robles seemed to gain confidence in the fourth round and hunted Estrella with a more aggressive approach. An overhand right at 1:39 of the fifth round by Robles connected and down went Estrella for good.

“This was the first time as the main-event, but that didn’t faze me at all because I knew I was in my own backyard with my family watching and supporting me,” said Robles, III. “In the earlier rounds, he was pretty resilient and I really wanted to finish him early, but by the middle of the fight I started fighting smarter, and worked the body.”

Other Bouts

 In what was only his third professional fight, Javier Martinez out-worked and out-fought Mexico’s Jose A. Martinez (10-11, 6 KOs) to win by knockout in the third round of their featherweight clash.

Martinez, 21, fights out of Dallas, Texas and now has three knockouts in three pro bouts. This may have been his toughest opponent. Jose A. Martinez walked in with 20 pro bouts in his career but it did not matter. The Texan was able to unload combinations up and down, including a left to the body that ended the fight at 2:03 of round three.

“I’m glad I made the move from Texas to train with my team here in California,” said the victorious Martinez. “I’ve noticed the difference in my style and have improved so much.”

Cesar Diaz (6-0, 5 KOs) charged out and steamrolled battle-tested Antonio Rodriguez (11-19-1, 5 KOs) and ended the fight by knockout in the fifth round. It was Rodriguez’s third fight in less than two months but it was the first time he did not hear the final bell.

Diaz was able to wear Rodriguez down with a steady attack to the body and head. Finally, at 1:12 of the fifth round, a left hook, left uppercut combination by Diaz put the usually resilient Rodriguez down on one knee. Referee Krysti Rosario ended the bantamweight contest.

“His reach was giving me a little bit of trouble, but I was able to close the distance effectively and work from the inside,” said Diaz who lives in Palmdale. “We still have a lot to work on.”

Everton Lopes (5-0, 2 KOs) pummeled Mexico’s Daniel Bastien (4-7) for two rounds including a knockdown from a body punch in the first round to win by knockout. The end came at 1:56 of the second round when the Brazilian southpaw unloaded about eight unanswered blows forcing referee Eddie Hernandez to end the super lightweight contest. It was Lopes first fight in two years due to an injury.

“Man does it feel good to be back,” said Lopes, who hails from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. “It’s been a tough time and I’m glad to be back and get this knockout for my team.”

Lopes trains in Norwalk with Manny Robles Jr.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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