Morua prevails by decision
By Chad Barcus at ringside

In the main event, Emanuel Augustus (32-25-1 17 KO’s) squared off against Arturo Morua (22-7-1 13 KO’s) for the WBO Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Championship. The fight was fought in almost the same style the entire fight. Augustus constantly pressured Morua. He followed him around the ring, pressuring Morua up against the ropes and proceeded to land punches.

Early on, Morua tried to box with Augustus. However, towards the end of the fight Morua had been reduced to a fleeing counter puncher. At times, Augustus could be seen laughing in the ring after Morua had hit him with a shot that Emanuel thought was, well, laughable. In another instance, Augustus flexed his muscles right in front of Morua, with no response. Morua’s mouth was cut in the fourth round and his left eye was cut from a punch in round six. Both cuts continued to bleed for the remainder of the fight, but did not become a factor.

Augustus controlled rounds 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, and 12, and he punished Morua in round 10. He even buckled Morua’s legs with a right cross at the end of that round. There were some close rounds and Augustus did take a lot of punches in the fight. That being said, Fightnews and most ringside observers felt that Emanuel Augustus had easily dominated the fight with effective pressure and punches. The judges didn’t see it that way. They scored the bout 116-112, 117-111, and 116-112 for the new WBO Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Champion, Arturo Morua.

The crowd erupted in a chorus of “boos” when the decision was read, after a moment of shock. Emanuel Augustus had been the victim of yet another controversial decision. After the fight Augustus described himself as “A grumpy, upset, angry individual.” He said undeniably, “I just don’t believe that he beat me. Period.” He described Morua as “an okay fighter,” whereas, Arturo said, “It was a very difficult fight.” And his face told that story with its cut, swelling, and bruises. As far as his future in boxing, Augustus had this to say: “As far as I’m concerned, my career is just one big question mark from here on.” Augustus paraphrased the night best when he said, “I guess I got beat by a better man today…or men.”

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In his professional debut, Lonnie Smith defeated Javier Flores (6-8) in a four round super featherweight bout. Smith knocked Flores down with a crushing left hook to the body with about 30 seconds left in round two. In round three Smith sent Flores down again with an equally devastating left hook 35 seconds into the round. It was a bit of a delayed knockdown, but Flores could barely get up and referee Ray Scott called a stop to the action, ending the fight as a TKO at :35 of round three.

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In another four round super featherweight fight Juan Garcia bettered his record to 7-0 with 2 KO’s over Raul Montes, who now has a record of 3-8 with 2 KO’s. Garcia put on a clinic and appeared to be the far more skilled fighter. Montes’ mouth was cut in round two and his nose was bloodied in round four. His face was a bloodied mess by the end of the fight and it appeared that he was having trouble breathing. Referee Bobby Ferrara warned Montes for holding behind the head and hitting half way through round one and he took a point away for the same reason half way through round two. The fight went the distance with all judges scoring the bout 40-35 for Garcia.

In the co-main event of the evening, Ivan Valle, Los Mochis, Sinaloa (23-5-1, 19 KOs) survived extremely difficult moments to overcome the challenge of William Morelos of Monteria, Colombia (16-3, 11KOs). Controversy surrounded this bout as Morelos failed to make the 135lbs weight limit coming in at 2 1/2 lbs over the limit. Valle’s camp threatens to call of the fight but instead agrees to go on with the bout.

Valle (wearing velvet trunks with white trim) displayed quick foot work and even faster hands, since the opening bell, but Morelos proved to be the stronger and more powerful of the two. The Mexican fighter got the best of every exchange in the inside, targeting the liver area of the Colombian. Morelos on his part seemed to cause more damage with solid left and right hooks. Valle landed a lighting fast left, right, hook combination to punctuate the round.

Morelos snapped Valle’s head back with a spearing jab; Valle tries to hold causing a clash of heads sending Valle down to the canvas. Referee Nico Perez sent Morelos to a neutral corner to give Valle a chance to recuperate. The action resumes in the middle of the ring and they trade punches at will causing a roar from the crowd, but Morelos landed the more telling blows. With ten seconds left in the round, Morelos landed a crushing right that sent the Mexican fighter staggering into the ropes.

They start the third where they left off and fireworks explode in the middle of the ring. Morelos hurt Valle with a thunderous right to the head, but trips over Valle’s feet and goes down. After quickly jumping to his feet he resumes his attack on his wounded foe hurting him yet again with another right, seconds before the bell.

Both fighters had their moments in the fourth and for the first time in the fight Valle backs Morelos back with a counter left hook and Morelos comes back with a vicious left-right combination. Just when it seemed that the stocky Morelos would take over, Valle landed a huge straight right depositing Morelos on the bottom rope. He immediately jumped up on unsteady legs and referee Nico Perez stopped the fight at 2:38 seconds to protect him from further punishment. The crowd of 1,600 people booed in disapproval of the premature stoppage. After the fight, referee Nico Perez, explained since there was not standing-eight count he did not want to risk the fighter’s health.

Comments by Ivan Valle: “Morelos is a very strong fighter but the fact that he didn’t’ make the weight made him even stronger. I never felt his punches even though he was able to manhandle me around the ring. I want the public to know that I’m willing to fight anyone but nobody wants to fight me because once they see my record they scram. I also want them to know the advertised for me is incorrect. My correct record is: 28-2, 27KOs. My promoter has arranged a fight for me with Jose Miguel Cotto, if Cotto is victorious in his WBA challenge against Juan Diaz.”

In a fight that looked promising on paper, Rimero Rivera (0-1-0) from Phoenix, AZ, stopped Tomas Padron (2-2-2,2KOs) also from Phoenix, AZ at 2:15 of the 2nd round. Padron (wearing red trunks) displayed good head movement stalking Rivera (wearing solid blue trunks) around the ring, midway through the round Rivera unleashed a three punch combination that made Padron wobble. Padron kept marching forward and Rivera began to counter him with well timed hooks. Right at the 10sec mark, Rivera put Padron down with a crushing left hook. Padron rised at the count of six on unsteady legs, but was saved by the bell. In the second round Rivera came out looking for the knockout unloading with both fists, sending Padron to the canvas with a sharp left-right combination. Padron rises at the count of six and fights back. While trading punches in the middle of the ring, Rivera puts Padron down again with an overhand right. Padron rises at six and seems clear headed. But referee Ray Scott waives it off at 2:15 of the second round.

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In a battle of pro-debuters, local fighter, Rudy Gamez was able to survive the steep challenge of Jose Valdez from Phoenix, AZ. Gamez proved to be the more versatile of the two, by fighting in spurts to pile up the points. Even though Valdez had the greater accuracy, the judges preferred Gamez’s volume of punches and better work rate. Judge Gerald Maltz scored the fight 39-37 Gamez , Chris Wilson 37-39 Valdez, Joe Garcia 39-37 Gamez, giving Gamez his first professional win by split decision.