Avila Perspective, Chap 69: – Boxing Loses 3; Thompson Boxing and More

The month of October has not been kind to the boxing world. Three prizefighters including Patrick Day died from various reasons in the span of two weeks.

Day, 27, passed away four days after injuries sustained from a prize fight on Oct. 12, against Charles Conwell in Chicago. He was in a coma when he was ambulanced to a nearby hospital. The super welterweight fighter was born and raised in Freeport, New York.

Eloy Perez, 32, a former contender from Salinas, California, passed away on Oct. 11 from undisclosed reasons allegedly in Tijuana, Mexico. He was a super featherweight whose last battle was against Adrien Broner for the WBO world title back in 2012.

Javier “Pelos” Garcia, 30, a former BKB champion, expired on Oct. 1, at age 30 in Oxnard, California also from undisclosed reasons. The cousin of Robert and Mikey Garcia last fought in 2013 against DeMarcus Corley.

All three boxers fought in Southern California.

Last June, the super welterweight Day fought at Pechanga Resort and Casino where he battled against Carlos Adames in a fierce 10 round war and lost by decision. After the fight he could be seen taking photos with fans and other fighters at the casino in Temecula, California.

Perez lost only one fight and after that never fought again. As a youngster he was involved in football and was a quarterback despite his lack of height. Boxing became his next venture and he excelled. Some of his best wins were over Dominic Salcido and David Rodela.

Garcia fought in the BKB, an organization that lasted only a few years and whose fights were held in a pit in Las Vegas. He won the BKB welterweight championship with a fifth round knockout over Darnell Jiles at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in 2014.

It’s been a very sad month for the boxing world.

Thompson Boxing

Trick or treat begins early for Thompson Boxing Promotions.

Instead of sugar-coated candy the hunt for the next world champion continues Friday, Oct. 18, with welterweight prospect Angel Ruiz (16-0, 12 KOs) meeting Puerto Rican southpaw Javier Flores (14-2, 12 KOs) at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. It will be streamed on Thompson Boxing’s page on Facebook.com.

Tijuana’s Ruiz was scheduled to meet Flores several months ago but a hand injury scrapped the meeting. Now the Mexican fighter has recovered and finally meets the Boricua in the boxing ring.

“Ruiz has had plenty of time to prepare for this fight,” said Alex Camponovo the matchmaker for Thompson Boxing. “It should be an excellent fight.”

Also on the card, Golden Garcia (11-0-1), comes by way of Canada and was recommended by Banner Promotions. The lightweight from Montreal will be making his first appearance on U.S. soil. He faces Tijuana’s Hector Garcia, a scrappy fighter who took Devin Haney, Juan Carlos Burgos and Daniel Franco the distance when they met.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Banner and we’re going to take a good look at him,” said Camponovo of the Canadian lightweight.

Another prospect worth watching will be George Acosta (7-1) fighting Mexican veteran Roberto Almazan (9-12) in a lightweight clash set for six rounds. Acosta lost his last fight in a battle with another talented prospect Ruben Torres.

“He’s a good fighter and when he lost to Ruben Torres both fighters were undefeated,” said Camponovo. “It was a very close fight and could have gone either way. We like his talent.”

Doors open at 6:30 and the fights begin at 8 p.m. For more information call (714) 935-0900.

Artis J. Mack brother of Claressa Shields Charged

A prosecutor has filed an assault charge against the brother of boxer Claressa Shields in connection with an attack on the trainer of Ivana Habazin before the weigh-in for their fight, according to a story by the Associated Press.

Genesee County prosecutor David Leyton issued a statement Wednesday saying 28-year-old Artis J. Mack of Flint has been charged with one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder in the Oct. 4 attack on 68-year-old James Ali Bashir.

Bashir was hospitalized after getting punched, falling and striking his head on the floor before the weigh-in. The Oct. 5 fight was cancelled.

Fights to Watch

Fri. 7 p.m. ESPN – Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0) vs Artur Beterbiev (14-0)

Fri. 8 p.m. Facebook Watch – Angel Ruiz (16-0) vs Javier Flores (14-2, 12 KOs)

Fri. 11:30 p.m. Telemundo – Emanuel Colon (16-1-1) vs Richard Zamora (19-3)

Sat. 11 a.m. DAZN – Lewis Ritson (19-1) vs Robbie Davies Jr. (19-1)

Sat. 6 p.m. UFC Fight Pass – Cody Crowley (17-0) vs Mian Hussain (16-1)

Sat. 7 p.m. Facebook Watch – Oscar Duarte (17-1-1) vs Richard Solano (21-2-2)

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel  

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