Tonight’s Fight At Commerce Casino

0
Player Props Betting.

Weigh-in with Thursday’s combatants

SoCal fight fans are in for a treat as All Star Boxing presents its “Battle of the Rising Stars” live boxing show TONIGHT at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California.

Taking place inside the large Crowne Ballroom, the card will feature seven bouts showcasing some of L.A.’s future contenders.

Attending yesterday’s weigh-in in the Arena Sports Bar and Grill at the Commerce Casino (touted as the world’s largest poker casino), I entered a room packed with anxious combatants ready to step into the ring.

1I had a few minutes to catch up with trainer Steve Quinonez, father of fighter Stevie “The Mongoose” Quinonez. I asked the elder Quinonez if his son was planning to return to the ring, after his last defeat against the younger Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis at a previous All Star boxing show in March. Quinonez Sr. told me that his southpaw son will be hanging up his gloves, but both father and son will now be promoting fights. He expects to have his first show by the end of the year.

Tonight Quinonez will be in the corner with young charge Hugo Ramos. The 19-year-old will be slugging it out with the tough Alan Martinez, brother of boxer Aaron Martinez.

Aaron was with Adolfo Perez Sr. and Adolfo Perez Jr. and the Martinez camp is ready and poised for action.

After a year layoff, Hector “Teco” Serrano will be making his way inside the ropes in hopes of keeping his unbeaten record intact. I spoke with Team Teco who was keeping a low profile in a corner of the room. Watch for Serrano to make a statement in tonight’s matchup.

Heavyweight Seth Colebrook is always a crowd pleaser; he was chatting with Manny Rabago while at the weigh-in. If you’re attending the fights in Commerce, don’t blink while the big boys battle. The action and knockouts can be quick! The muscle-laden Colebrook has two brothers that also fight. “One is an amateur fighter and the other is in MMA,” Seth reminds me. I’ve seen his brother Adam fight and trust me, these Colebrook boys can be devastating on the canvas.

The fighters all had their game faces on while the business side of boxing took the forefront. But after their doctor’s exams, contracts being signed and paperwork filled out, some humor managed to sneak in and break up the competitive tension if just for a moment.

Trainer Jesus “Maiztrito” Garcia added some levity by grabbing the tray of cookies set out and tempting everyone with the forbidden sugar. He is currently working with Benjamin Diaz who fought at the last 2Commerce show in June.

But all of the trainers can relax. Yummy chocolate cookies are not exactly the “Breakfast of Champions” and I did not witness any fighter chowing down on the contraband sweets!

Ed Holmes, of All Star Boxing, says to expect another great evening full of exciting entertainment at the Commerce Casino. They usually host their shows at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, but tonight will be their second show of the year in the Crowne Ballroom. I ask the amiable promoter if they’ll return to the casino for future fights. “Yes, definitely,” replies Holmes. “We are thinking of having another show here on October 22nd.”

For his business partner, All Star’s Pete Hironaka, the fight nights are something he always looks forward to. “Tonight will be fun. We always have a good crowd, great fights and special guests,” says the matchmaker. “Alfredo Angulo has been to a lot of our shows. And tonight, Mike Anchondo is planning to be at the fight, and Chris Arreola may also stop by too!”

Below is the final card for tonight’s event.

See you at the fights!

All Star Boxing

3SCHEDULED FIGHT CARD

(Bouts subject to change)

*Main Event*

6 Rounds Lightweights

HECTOR SERRANO (8-0) vs. STEVE GONZALEZ (7-3)

4 Rounds Middleweights

FRANCISCO MORA (4-0) vs. CHRIS CHATMAN (3-0)

4 Rounds Heavyweights

SETH COLEBROOK (2-0) vs. DANNY GONZALEZ (1-0)

4 Rounds Middleweights

STEPAN ZEYTUNYAN (2-0) vs. MARIO EVANGELISTA (3-4)

4 Rounds Featherweights

ALAN MARTINEZ (2-0-1) vs. HUGO RAMOS (2-2-1)

4 Rounds Jr. Welterweights

CHAD YARVITZ (Pro Debut) vs. ANTHONY WHEATON (0-1)

4 Rounds Jr. Featherweights

LUIS ALBERTO LUCAS (Pro Debut) vs. FRANK GUTIERREZ (1-6-2)

All Star Boxing’s “Battle of the Rising Stars”

Thursday, August 20th

*First bout 7:30*

Crowne Plaza Hotel/Commerce Casino, 6131 E. Telegraph Road, Commerce. Tickets start at $50.

Call 323-816-6200 for more information.

Photos by Michele Chong: Alan Martinez, Benjamin Diaz, Maiztrito’s cookies; Colebrook and Rabago; Perez family with Martinez; Oscar Muñiz; CSAC’s Larry Ervin; Team Teco; Hugo Ramos and Steve Quinonez

Player Props Betting.
Previous articleMike Tyson Hits Hollywood!
Next articleJuan Diaz vs. Paulie Malignaggi Final Presser
Michele Chong has been involved in the sport of boxing for over a decade. Her “Chatter Box” column covers a variety of subjects in both professional and amateur boxing, and features exclusive one-on-one interviews, recaps of fight events, shows and tournaments, book/film reviews and much more. Inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008, she is also a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Golden State Boxer’s Association and the Burbank Boxing Club. Michele is also involved in many non-profit and charitable organizations.