Avila Perspective, Chap. 339: Omar Trinidad Headlines in Santa Ynez and More

Omar Trinidad takes another step toward world title dreams as he moves into wine country to display his wares.

Featherweight contender Trinidad (19-0-1, 13 KOs) meets Venezuela’s Lorenzo Parra (23-1, 17 KOs) at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez on Friday Aug. 15. UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Boxing Promotions card.

“This is another tough challenge for me with Lorenzo Parra, he’s clearly in great shape for this fight and will be ready on August 15,” Trinidad said at media day.

One by one Trinidad has passed the obstacles set forth by his promoter to ensure he is ready for the big dogs in the featherweight division. And one by one they have been conquered.

Venezuela’s Parra is the biggest test yet for East L.A.’s Trinidad. It won’t get easier now that he is a contender.

The featherweight division has long been a bastion for boxers from the Southern California region. Starting with Solly Garcia Smith in 1897, the very first featherweight champion of the world from the L.A. area to Richie Lemos in 1941 when featherweights dominated. Fighters like Jackie Wilson, Chalky Wright and a guy named Henry Armstrong who was so good he moved up and grabbed the lightweight and welterweight championship all in a matter of three years.

Featherweights were the king in the greater Los Angeles area.

Not until the 1970s did another wave of great Southern California featherweights crash the upper tiers when Bobby Chacon, Danny “Lil Red” Lopez and Ruben Castillo arrived in an era that saw Salvador Sanchez, Alexis Arguello, Ruben Olivares, and Wilfredo Gomez take turns exciting crowds with their fighting abilities.

Incidentally, when Mexico’s Sanchez fought Puerto Rico’s Gomez in Las Vegas on Aug. 21, 1981, the ticket demand was so great that they held close circuit television coverage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. It sold out.

Now Trinidad attempts to enter that upper tier where only world champions dwell. Can the Boyle Heights resident become the next great featherweight from the greater L.A. area?

“I’m ready to fight any of the world champions right now,” said Trinidad. “Hopefully I’ll fight for a world title soon, I know I can beat these guys.”

Mizuki and Lupe

Two female bouts are also planned for the Chumash Casino including WBO super fly world titlist Mizuki Hiruta (8-0) fighting Naomy Cardenas (9-0) in a scheduled 10-round fight. Undefeated Lupe Medina (10-0) trades blows with Rubi Gutierrez (5-2-1) in a minimumweight fight set for eight.

Both Hiruta and Medina are proven crowd pleasers.

Others on the card include Abel Mejia (8-0) facing veteran Aston Palicte (28-8-1); Angel Carrillo (4-0-1) meets Damien Basulto (3-0); along with Abraham Morales (1-0), Nesly Trezile, Jonathan Vasquez and Brian Rodriguez.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday

Featherweights and heavyweights take charge in Riyadh this Saturday.

WBA featherweight champ Nick Ball (22-0-1, 13 KOs) defends against Sam Goodman (20-0, 8 KOs) in the main event on Saturday Aug. 16. The Matchroom and Queensberry Promotion card will be streamed on DAZN pay-per-view.

Also, heavyweights Moses Itauma (12-0, 10 KOs) and gatekeeper Dillian Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs) tangle on the Saudi card.

Fights to Watch

Fri. UFC Fight Pass 6 p.m. Omar Trinidad (19-0-1) vs Lorenzo Parra (23-1); Mizuki Hiruta (8-0) vs Naomy Cardenas (9-0).

Sat. DAZN ppv 9:45 a.m. Nick Ball (22-0-1) vs Sam Goodman (20-0); Moses Itauma (12-0) vs Dillian Whyte (33-3).

Photo credit: Lina Baker

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