Fight Action from Commerce Casino

COMMERCE, Ca.-Boxing returned to the Commerce Casino after many years and a bantamweight clash saw Michigan’s Ryan Allen rally from behind to win by knockout over Arizona’s Edward Ceballos on Saturday.

After many years of not having boxing the Commerce Casino opened its doors to boxing once again and saw a loaded and crowded All Star Boxing card. Celebrities were plenty including Frank Stallone and trainer Abel Sanchez in attendance.

The main event saw lanky Allen (5-1, 3 KOs) nearly get stopped by Ceballos, a southpaw, in the third round. Both bantamweights showed superior speed but in the third round Allen was caught by a counter left cross and staggered against the ropes. Ceballos was unable to end the fight.

Allen was hurt by a left to the body in round three and the end looked near. He countered with a punch ruled below the belt by the referee and the fight was stopped as Ceballos recovered. A point was deducted from Allen in the fourth round. In the fifth round Allen connected to the body again and down went Ceballos. The blow was borderline but not below the belt and referee Tony Crebs counted out Ceballos 25 seconds into the fifth round. It was a tremendous rally by Allen.

A middleweight clash saw former Russian Olympian Petr Khamukov (1-0) win his pro debut by unanimous decision against Jose Rivera (4-3) after six rounds. Rivera waited much too long before finally attempting to go on attack. The scores were 59-55 and 58-56 twice for Khamukov.

Famous trainer Roberto Alcazar, known for handling Oscar De La Hoya during his early pro career, walked into the boxing ring with his newest protégé Michael Norato (5-0) in a super featherweight showdown with Barstow’s Alex Silva (3-7). Norato proved too quick and powerful for Silva who held almost every second of the fight while trying to sneak a punch in here and there. Norato was deducted a point for a low blow in the fourth round but won on all three judge’s cards 39-36.

An evenly matched super lightweight contest saw Michigan’s Kevin Shacks (2-2-2) and Greece’s Stylianos Papadopoulos (9-0-2) battle to a draw after six back and forth rounds. Shacks landed a right in the fifth round that turned the fight around. All three judges scored it 57-57.

In a fight between super welterweights Chicago’s Ernest Muhammad Jr. (5-1) won by unanimous decision against Arizona’s Estevan Payan (1-5-1) after six rounds. Every round was competitive but Muhammad did a little more in each frame to gain the decision.

Female Bouts

Kazakhstan’s Aida Satybaldinova (0-0-1) and California’s Lisa Porter (1-1-2) battled to a draw after four rounds. Though Satybaldinova was making her pro debut, she’s a former national champion in her native country and was the aggressor in every round. Porter recently fought for the NABF lightweight title and was the taller fighter. Both had their moments with Porter using her boxing ability to score quick counter rights.

Satybaldinova rallied furiously in the last round of the four round fight. The judge’s scores were all different and ended in a split draw.

In a female bantamweight clash Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz (4-0, 1 KO) nearly knocked Brenda Enriquez (0-1) out of the ring with a lightning combination. Enriquez was unconscious but still throwing punches while on her back. The fight was stopped at 53 seconds of the second round and Ruiz won by knockout. Surprisingly it was Ruiz’s first knockout though it’s clear she packs power and speed. She is definitely ready for six round fights. Enriquez was making her pro debut as a boxer and fights in MMA. She was able to get up on her own power.

“I did get worried because that’s the last thing I want to do is (permanently) hurt someone,” said Ruiz after the win. “The way I saw her drop to the floor was very scary. I give Brenda (Enriquez) all my respect.”

Ruiz also said this would be her last four round fight.

“Next I want to do a six round fight. No more four rounds,” said Ruiz. “Maybe even a state title.”

Perhaps even a world title.

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