Josesito Lopez Crowned New Champion

It’s not an understatement to say that the recent ESPN “Friday Night Fights” show at Pechanga Resort and Casino was a real knockout of a night. With only one bout going the distance, the sold-out audience was kept on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately for some of the courageous boxers, try as they might they just couldn’t stay on their feet as their evening ended early by way of KO in a thrilling event for the fans.

Presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, the main event featured Chris Arreola vs. Joey Abell. This heavyweight bout ended in the opening stanza at 2:18 after the Minnesota challenger was rocked by Arreola’s solid right that had the southpaw in trouble. Trapped against the ropes, the Riverside slugger let loose with an assault of combinations causing referee Tony Crebs to call a halt to the contest.

The co-feature had the crowd percolating with excitement. The matchup between Mike Dallas Jr. (17-1-1, 7 KOs) versus Josesito Lopez (29-3, 17 KOs) had promised to be an exciting one and as the walk out began, you could really feel the excited and nervous energy emanating within the Pechanga Ballroom. Dallas Jr. came into the fight as a talented unbeaten prospect hailing from Bakersfield. With boxing manager Jackie Kallen and trainer/father Michael Dallas Sr. behind him, the speedy “Silent Assassin” was hoping to keep his perfect record intact.

Lopez, out of Riverside, had just three blemishes in his loss column. Trained by Henry Ramirez, he is a stablemate of the featured Arreola. The junior welter has been a pro since 2003 and has won WBC Continental Americas and Youth titles.

For the two gladiators, this scheduled ten-rounder would be for the NABF Light Welterweight Championship belt. Dallas Jr., in black and copper, began the bout tentatively and falling after a clinch, referee Raul Caiz Jr. ruled it a slip. Lopez, in black and green, landed more punches in the first stanza as the bell ended the round. Toward the end of round one, Lopez was already cut above the left eye by an accidental head butt.

As some in the crowd began to yell out to Dallas Jr., “Let your hands go, Mike!” the faster fighter used his speed on the outside but Lopez, showed more precision in picking his power shots. It began to be a scrap of speed against power as Caiz Jr. had to separate the many clinches during the bout. Dallas Jr. was bothered by what he thought were shots behind the head, caused by his low style of coming in.

As Lopez continued to pressure his younger opponent, Dallas Jr. used his fast hands to box, clearly not wanting any part of the inside game. Josesito used his aggressive style to overwhelm his foe with a flurry of solid hits, including an accidental shot to the back, receiving a warning from Caiz. The crowd roared as the two warriors kept their punch output escalating as the heated competition rose. With Riverside’s Lopez hearing chants of “Jose, Jose, Jose!” he dug deep taking it to the swifter Dallas.

With the rounds progressing, Dallas Jr. began to look more comfortable in the ring giving his fans hope for a victory. But as the rough and tough battle continued, local favorite Lopez began to get the the better of it. In the seventh and what would be the final round, Lopez, whose face had been bloodied by the cut, connected with a left that wobbled the former amateur star. Caiz Jr. stepped in at 1:47 with the stoppage. Lopez acknowledged that “it was a tough fight, a tactical fight” but exactly what his camp expected. “I went through the storm and I’m here with the victory,” he added.

After the halt, some said the stoppage was called precisely at the right moment; others voiced that it was way too soon and that Dallas Jr. could have continued, given the opportunity. Under California rules, there is no standing-eight count as many had wondered aloud. In the post-fight press conference, talk of a rematch was brought up. For Mike Dallas, look for the 24-year-old to be back on track and back in the ring again soon.

For Josesito Lopez, co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions, he’s got a new green and gold belt that he will wear proudly. As he made his way from the podium to his group of friends and family, I asked the newest NABF titlist where he’ll keep his championship belt. As he looked down at he strap hanging from his shoulder, the 26-year-old joked, “Oh, I’m gonna wear it all night for now. I’m taking it into the night club with me!” This was a “next level” test for Lopez–and one he passed. And if there is a Dallas-Lopez rematch in the future, the viewers would be the winners as many new fans are now keeping their eyes on these two.

In the night’s other contests, the majority of the results were all more of the same: a victory coming way of crushing knockouts.

A 2008 Olympian, Shawn Estrada (11-0, 10 KOs) added another win as he came out of his corner raging against Jon Schmidt (10-2, 6 KOs). Though it was a six-round middleweight contest, Estrada just needed half a round as he knocked out his opponent at 1:48 of the first stanza. With his face reddening, Schmidt went down twice earlier in the round and Estrada knew it was just a matter of time. Shawn, nicknamed “Manos de Oro” has one speed–full speed ahead as he continues to mow down his challengers.

Matt Villanueva (5-0, 5 KOs) also scored a knockout against Jose Luis Cardenas (5-12-1, 3 KOs) in a bantamweight battle that would never see the four rounds scheduled on paper. The tall Villanueva was all smoking guns, shooting with pure fury and connecting with a solid left for the first knockdown and a huge right for the second knockdown. The bell would end round one but Villanueva, trained by Joe Goossen, was ready to continue the vicious barrage in the next round. After landing a left uppercut, referee Tony Crebs waved it off at 47 seconds into the second stanza. As Matt was declared the victor, trainer Goossen lifted the young bantam up in his arms in celebration while his KO streak remains perfect.

In a six-round welterweight battle, Joseph Elegele (10-0, 8 KOs) squared off against Manuel Aguilar (6-1, 4 KOs). Southpaw Elegele put in an impressive performance. In the first round, he showed off a solid jab and scoring with a right hook that ended the fight at just 2:18 of the first frame.

In a junior lightweight contest and the lone bout that went to the hands of the judges, Kevin Hoskins (4-0) took on Ramon Flores (3-10-2, 3 KOs) in what would ultimately be a crowd-pleasing barn burner of a fight. While Hoskins came out charging, Flores attacked to the body. Though flinging wild punches, the more experienced would connect on several occasions. Sporting long old-school style white socks, the audience began rooting for the menacing Flores as he began to trade punches with his fierce foe. Throwing with bad intentions, Flores had Hoskins defending and firing back with quick rights.

Flores continuing to throw with bad intentions, hoskins defending and firing back with a quick right. In round three, Hoskins connected with a nice right uppercut and a right hook that came right after the bell as the crowd booed. In the final round, the two California sluggers had those in the seats roaring with both guys blasting away–bombs away style–that had the audience wishing it was a six-rounder. While Flores was exhausted from winging shot after shot, he was the “People’s Champ” of the night as he was cheered on after the bell sounded. After the decision was read, it was announced as a split decision for Hoskins 39-37 twice (Max De Luca and Fritz Werner) and 39-37 for Flores (Barry Druxman).

For all the Southern California fans who showed up in droves, Goossen Tutor Promotions and Pechanga Boxing scored a thrilling knockout night with these six bouts of non-stop action.

For more on the main event’s Chris Arreola Right Here.

All Photos by MariaHedrick.com