The “Super Six” Mix in Carson!

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Victory for both Andre Ward and Chris Arreola

All Photos by Ray Flores

After months of anticipation leading up to Showtime’s World Boxing Classic Super Six Tournament, the stage was finally set for the action to begin at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

In the Semi Finals for the tournament, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Antonio Leonard Productions and Sauerland Event, were Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (24-0, 13 KOs) vs. “King” Arthur Abraham (32-3, 26 KOs). It would be Oakland, California vs. Berlin, Germany, by way of Armenia. And on this night the prizefighters would also be vying for Ward’s WBA Super Middleweight Championship. A lot was riding on this fight; a lot to prove by both boxers.

Fans lined up early for Saturday’s fight night as I noticed large clusters of people waiting by the entrances a half hour before the gates even opened. There was a nervous excitement in the air that is always adrift in these marquee matchups. The weather forecast in normally sunny SoCal had threatened rain on this night, but luckily for all of us the only rain we’d end up seeing would be the bombs thrown in the ring.

Going into this fight, Ward was tabbed as the favorite. Since they always say styles make fights, the question remained how the rivals would “mix it up” inside the ropes. Questions remained if Abraham, 31, could–and would–pull off an “upset” by beating his 27-year-old foe, nicknamed “Son of God.” Also leading up to the contest was a spirited and, at times, contentious “war of words” by both camps over the officials assigned to the fight. Team Abraham voiced their objection over which referees and judges would be working the Southern California bout.

In the end, all that was left was a war of attrition between the two athletes.

As the TV broadcast got underway, you could feel the energy in the open air arena rise. And if you didn’t feel it, there’s no doubt you would’ve heard it! While “King” Arthur’s camp worried about preferential treatment for the Cali fighter in Ward, the majority of those in the seats were vigorously showing their support for their favorite Armenian slugger.

The chants began long before the main event even began. It was a sea of flags from the loyal followers of Abraham, who all converged during this one night in Carson.

Waving flags representing the Republic of Armenia, it was a vision of bright cloth flowing around the outdoor stadium. Everywhere I looked, I saw fans proudly showcasing flags made up of three bands of red, blue and orange. Speaking with Armenian friends, they explained that the red stands for the sacrifice of the blood of Armenian soldiers, the blue is for hope and peace, and the color orange is the symbol for fertile lands harvested in their homeland.

For former world champ Abraham, he was a soldier willing to shed blood while heading into battle against the reigning WBA champ. As he made his entrance out, the crowd went berserk, their screams rising. You could barely hear the announcements as their boxing idol stepped through the ropes.

After the opening bell, the Armenian power puncher had a great start coming out of his corner. He was busier and much more active in the beginning rounds than most people were used to seeing from the ex-IBF titlist. The fans were ecstatic as Abraham got off to a fast start, continuing their hope for a victory. Arthur surprised Ward by catching him with a hook upstairs. While it looked to the fans that Ward was rocked, it was more like an off-balance shot that had Andre falter for a second. But just the sight of that in the early rounds had the droves of Abraham fans cheering for their favorite Armenian fighter.

But Ward, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, had an answer as the rounds progressed. And as the minutes continued to tick, Andre continued to outbox, outfox and outclass the crowd favorite. Ward controlled the pace, kept his rhythm, and kept the crowd out of the fight. And when the pro-Abraham fans quieted down, a new chant began to form of “S.O.G., S.O.G.!” with alternate cheers of “USA, USA!” resonating in the stands.

Never underestimating Abraham’s power and dangerous shots, everyone was still cautiously waiting and poised to witness a come-from-behind thunder shot that could change the whole scope of the contest, which was scheduled for 12 rounds. But in keeping true to his shell defense and high guard, Abraham never could find a way to win, never harming Ward as referee Luis Pabon kept busy separating the many headlocks and pinning of arms between the two.

Arthur’s fans, although subdued, never gave up hope. As he had brief flurries of action, the Abraham-partisan crowd would roar with every single punch thrown. But going into retreat mode for most of the fight, the fans didn’t get much to cheer about. Around the tenth round, the fans screamed for Abraham (who’s face was now showing evidence of Ward’s gloves) by trying to lure him–and will him–to exchange and trade more punches with Ward, who on occasions switched to a southpaw stance. Nearing the final rounds, “King” Arthur gave them a sliver of hope in the final round as he charged for Ward but it was too little too late.

And in the end, the fight pretty much ended the way many had predicted. After 36 minutes of combat, Ward wins decisively when scores of 120-108 and 118-11 (twice) were announced. With this 24th pro victory, the “Son of God” from Northern Cal keeps an unblemished record–and awaits the victor of the June 4 clash in Atlantic City between Carl “The Cobra” Froch and Glen Johnson.

In the co-main, Chris Arreola (31-2, 27 KOs) squared off against Nagy Aguilera (16-6, 11 KOs). Weighing in for this fight at a slimmer 234, crowd favorite Arreola was announced as “The Thin Man.” Most were expecting an early knockout from Riverside’s Arreola, nicknamed “The Nightmare.”

Arreola was aggressive in his attack, using overhand rights and vicious body shots in a nonstop thunderstorm of pain. Since Chris is always criticized for his weight and lack of discipline, some in the crowd were still not impressed as they taunted the formerly more tubby heavyweight with chants of “Bean Burrito” and “Carne Asada.” Only in L.A.!

The consensus in the crowd was that Aguilera, 24, would go down quickly after absorbing so many knuckle sandwiches from “The Nightmare.” But the sturdy-chinned Aguilera bravely took the punishment while trying to land a few shots of his own. When Nagy was still around after the first and second stanzas, the fans clamored for a knockout that all sensed was near. As Chris continued to club him, many marveled at Aguilera’s durability.

Finally in the third round, Arreola got the stoppage against the game Dominican with referee Raul Caiz Jr. halting the bout at the time of 1:58.

Another knockout for “The Nightmare,” who continues to climb back up to another shot at a world championship.

Some may never be impressed with the heavyweight, but his team is headed on the right track with much more to prove. Keeping him busy and most importantly in the gym, Arreola will be back in action this month. Goossen Tutor Promotions just announced that Chris will be fighting in an ESPN fight on May 27 in Reno. He will face off against Kendrick “The Apostle” Releford (22-14-2, 10 KOs) from Texas, in an obvious “stay busy” fight. I think fighting twice in the month of May, with just 13 days between bouts is more like a “stay REALLY busy” fight for the 29-year-old heavyweight, who still has desires to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion.

With his knockout of Nagy Aguilera, Arreola is taking another step, inching his way toward another chance at a world title.

Including “The Nightmare’s” KO, seven of the nine bouts ended in knockouts.

In the undercard action:

Manuel Quezada (29-7, 18 KOs) vs. Bowie Tupou (20-1, 16 KOs): Heavyweight walkout bout kept fans in their sets. Tupou upsets Quezada winning by KO in the seventh stanza of their scheduled ten rounds.

Shawn Estrada (12-0, 11 KOs) vs. Joseph Gardner (7-3-1, 1 KO): “Manos de Oro” and 2008 Olympian Estrada keeps his knockout streak going with a victory over Gardner. Time was 1:27 in the first round.

Javier Molina (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Danny Figueroa (3-2, 2 KOs): Molina, nicknamed “El Intocable,” jabs and boxes his way to a unanimous decision over Figueroa in their junior middleweight contest. Scores announced were 40-36 from all three judges.

Matt Villanueva (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Frank Gutierrez (2-10-2, 1 KO): The “Knockout Kid” remains perfect with a KO in the first stanza.

Dominik Britsch (21-0, 8 KOs) vs. Delray Raines (18-10-1, 13 KOs): Britsch keeps his winning streak when bout ends in round five. The German boxer had scored knockdowns in rounds two, three and four before final stoppage at 2:21 in fifth round.

Armen Ovesepyan (10-1, 9 KOs) vs. Arturo Brambilla (9-15, 4 KOs): Ovespyan wins by KO at 2:44 in the opening round.

Ty Barnett (18-2-1, 12 KOs) vs. Andrey Klimov (11-0, 6 KOs): Third round KO for the unbeaten Klimov. Time was 1:12.

Seen in the crowd were champions and boxers Evander Holyfield, Nonito Donaire, Gabe Ruelas, John Molina Jr., Wayne McCullough, Carlos Molina, Oscar Molina, Rico Ramos, Efrain Esquivias, Walter Sarnoi, manager Jackie Kallen, among tons of other familiar faces in the mix.

Photos by Ray Flores

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