Omar Trinidad Defeats Argentina’s Hector Sosa and Other Results

Omar Trinidad rumbled past the elite level toughness of Argentina’s Hector Sosa to retain a regional featherweight title and move up the line in the world rankings on Saturday.

But no knockout.

“He’s tough, he’s Argentine,” said Trinidad.

East L.A.’s Trinidad (17-0-1, 13 Kos) faced IBO featherweight titlist Sosa (17-3, 9 Kos) whose title was not involved at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif. and proved more than capable with a display of skill, stamina and toughness over 12 hard-fought rounds.

It was a huge test for Trinidad, whose chin had not been tested against elite punchers until Sosa. But though hit many times by the Argentine it was Sosa who was floored, not the fighter from Boyle Heights, a section of East L.A.

Sosa, 29, called “La Maquinita,” demonstrated why the namesake and moved forward like a Sherman Tank, always ready to unleash one of his monster left hooks or overhand rights. They landed occasionally but never could seem to stagger Trinidad who shook his head when the punches connected.

It was Trinidad who shook Sosa in the second round after he decided to unload. During a furious exchange one of Trinidad’s left hooks caught Sosa on the chin and down he went for the count. He easily got up.

From the second round onward Sosa was not as aggressive but always stalking Trinidad but at a few paces slower. That left hook was a reminder that he could go down.

Trinidad mixed his attack and sometimes moved forward but mostly relied on a counter-attack while pivoting out of danger. It proved effective.

After 12 back-and forth rounds all three judges saw Trinidad the winner 119-110, and 118-109 twice. He retains his regional featherweight title.

“We’re really proud of Omar Trinidad,” said promoter Tom Loeffler, adding that the featherweight will now move up to a top three ranking in the weight division.

Chucky wins and other results

Daniel “Chucky” Barrera (8-0-1) out-battled Angel Morales (8-2-3) after eight rounds to win by unanimous decision in a super flyweight fight.

Female flyweight prospect Lupe Medina (8-0) survived a six-round war against Katherine Lindenmuth (6-4) to win by majority decision. Medina had some problems with the nonstop attack from the New Mexico fighter but managed to use her defense and accuracy to win on points. Every round was extremely competitive.

Gor Yeritsyan (19-1) faced former world titlist Jonathan “Momo” Romero (35-6) and won by technical knockout in the fifth round. Romero stepped in with two-days notice and gave the Armenian welterweight solid rounds.

Yeritsyan floored Romero in the second round with a body shot via the left hook. Referee Tom Taylor stopped the fight when Romero proved unable to defend himself properly due to a right arm injury.

A lightweight fight between Orange County’s Abel Mejia (6-0, 5 Kos) and Chicago’s Kevin Mangune (6-2) was a firefight for five rounds. In the sixth round Mangune suffered cuts on both eyes and the fight was stopped due to the injuries for a technical knockout win for Mejia.

Preliminaries

Austria’s Umar Dzambekov (10-0, 7 Kos) blasted Mexico’s Eric Robles (10-5) to the floor three times in the first round to win the light heavyweight contest by knockout.

Dzambekov, a southpaw, used left crosses to drive through Robles defense three times. The end came at 2:14 of the first round.

Adan Palma (10-0, 6 KOs) took control quickly in a super bantamweight fight to win by knockout in the third round over Oscar Mujica (8-8).

San Diego’s Palma hurt Las Vegas fighter Mujica in the second round and found an opening quickly in the third round with a lead right that crumbled the taller fighter at 47 seconds of the frame.

In a lightweight match Colombia’s Cesar Villarraga (11-10-1) survived a knockdown early in the fight and rallied to defeat Sebastian Gutierrez (6-2-1) by split decision after six rounds.

A counter left hook floored Villarraga a veteran who had fought numerous contenders in the past. The Colombian battled through the heavy artillery of Gutierrez and used smart counters to out-score the tiring fighter from Oxnard by scores of 57-56 twice and 55-58.

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