Local Boxers Featured at Quiet Cannon
When All Star Promotions recently held their lively “Battle of the Rising Stars” fight night, I attended the weigh-in and live bouts to check out some of the new faces in the local scene. There were four fighters and camps I met with at the weigh-in with all four athletes excited about their matches that took place on Friday, September 20. The night was hosted by promoter Ed Holmes and matchmaker Pete Hironaka.
The crowd was ready and waiting for the bell to ring. And in a perfect world, my latest piece spotlighting this foursome of fresh faces (FABIAN OCEGUEDO, DANIEL FRANCO, JUAN BUSTAMONTE and RICHARD RODRIGUEZ) would be all about their victories at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif.
But instead of four wins on their pro records, the four sluggers mentioned above had one canceled fight (at the last minute), one draw, one loss–and one victory.
In the boxing world, it’s all about learning the ropes and learning from this experience. There will always be the ups and downs, highs and lows of the sport. From the amateurs to the pros, it’s a long and often rocky road to the top. Many fighters never make the “Mayweather” money that everyone fantasizes about; many prizefighters barely eke out a living on a fighter’s paycheck. But with dreams intact, the will to succeed strong and the heart hopeful, each young gladiator inches closer to glory with every punch. Win or lose, it’s all about learning the trade and being savvy in the boxing biz.
Meet these young warriors who will all be back in the ring soon on various fights in the Southland.
JAIME “Fabian” OCEGUEDO: Nicknamed “Lil Rocky,” Fabian is one of the most popular fighters to square off in the Quiet Cannon arena. With Team Ocegueda packing the venue, this East L.A. warrior couldn’t wait to throw some punches on Friday night. He was set to square off against New Orleans’ Rynell Griffin in a light welter clash. Undefeated as a pro (8-0-1, 5 KOs), the 26-year-old is hungry for more. Poised for victory, the local favorite was ready to roar. But problems first arose at the weigh-in, then the bout seemed squared away but as the clock ticked toward first bell, the fight was ultimately canceled. What do you do if you’re a young fighter who’s trained hard only to see your bout canceled at the last minute? You’ve put in the road work, put in gym time and filling the hall with Ocegueda Nation. For Fabian, Friday night was a lesson learned on the way to, hopefully, bigger things. The Oceguedo-Griffin scrap was KO’d by paperwork glitches. It’s the punch you never see coming; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“Lil Rocky” stated: “I was getting my hands wrapped in the dressing room and the commissioner told me my fight was canceled. Yesterday at the weigh-ins I was told I had to get a couple medicals 
done in order to fight. Me and my uncle did our part and got it done. So right before the fights start the commission says they didn’t get the results from my blood work and I wasn’t able to fight…I feel really bummed out. I was more than ready to put on a show for everyone.” The results were probably in the offices but for some reason, weren’t made known on time. And the team quickly rebounded with his uncle and strong supporter Julio Ocegueda telling me that Fabian will be lacing up on October 19 in Pico Rivera.
DANIEL “Twitch” FRANCO: Just 21, Daniel comes from a fighting family. Father Al Franco is a longtime trainer and brother Mike “Lil Warrior” Franco is also a pro boxer. They are all part of the Warzone Boxing Club in Rancho Cucamonga where the trio work with amateur fighters and up-and-comers. I’ve known Daniel since he was a teen and back then, people were already looking forward to a successful pro career for the youngest fighting Franco. “I am ready for any type of style–brawler or boxer,” he told me a day before his fight. “I can’t wait!”
With a calm personality and wearing thick-rimmed glasses outside of the ring, many are surprised when he turns it up inside the ropes. The junior lightweight faced off against Alejandro Ochoa on Friday night, fighting to a majority draw. Although Team Franco wanted another win, Daniel remains unbeaten at 4-0-2 with 2 KOs. He brought a large cheering section with him, many sporting “Twitch” T-shirts. “We had a great training camp,” Daniel had mentioned to me at the weigh-in. “And I have a new manager Ray Chaparro and co-triner Mario Aguiniga.” After the draw, Franco vows to be more aggressive in his next fight and not leave it in the judges’ hands.
JUAN “El Diabilito” BUSTAMONTE: Juan’s profile is a bit different than Fabian and Daniel’s 
experiences in the ring. Pro boxers usually work their way up as kids in the amateur ranks while going to school. Bustamonte was no different. He honed his craft during amateur bouts and also “Battle of the Badges” charity fights but Juan is also a working officer in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)! He was an amateur with Bell Gardens and fought as heavy as 215 early in his career. On September 20, he made his pro debut at 158, thanks to his trainer Sal Casillas, who has been working with him since 2008. I’ve seen Juan fight in past amateur nights and I caught up with as he pro debut neared. Bustamonte and his coach Casillas, a former pro, were anticipating their four rounds versus Robert Hill.
Juan took a 30-day leave from the force so he could dedicate himself to training. He was happy to say the sergeant and lieutenants from his Devonshire Division would all be cheering him on in his debut. Bustamonte loves to box and although he’s now a pro fighter, he’ll also keep his job as a police officer in between bouts. Inside the four corners, a fiery Juan traded leather without the head gear and tank of an amateur. Unfortunately, the victory went to his rival this time, but don’t count out the policeman/pro fighter just yet. Training out of the Casillas Boxing Club in South Gate, time will tell if the cop-turned-boxer has what it takes to go to the top. He has already proven his courage as a peace officer and his bravery in the boxing ring.
RICHARD RODRIGUEZ: This Mexico City native is currently training in L.A. with veteran coach Rodrigo Mosquera. Feisty at just 115 pounds, Rodriguez (8-1, 3 KOs) is looking to add victories to his ledger. Facing Fernando Fuentes in a four-round feud, the two had the crowd rooting for more. After the dust cleared and scores were announced, the official tally gave Team Rodriguez a well-earned unanimous decision. The pair had fought before at amateurs so this win was even sweeter for Richard, now fighting in the U.S. With his fights all previously taking place in Mexico, once in SoCal Richard has already had the chance to get some elite sparring against Brian Viloria and Zou Shiming at Wild Card.
Coach Mosquera has high hopes for this kid. “Richard’s doing great,” he says. “Big things will come!” Mosquera is Rodriguez’s trainer and manager with his new Team Mosquera Boxing Management. The longtime coach works with his amateur and pros at the Eddie Heredia Boxing Gym and also a private gym in San Fernando called Young Champions Boxing Gym. Rodrigo is always on the go from the National PALS today in Oxnard to local club shows to high-profile cable and PPV fights. He also trains and co-manages pro fighter and Mexican Olympian Francisco Vargas and also works with Gary Russell Jr. Dedicated to boxing, Rodrigo plans to keep his stable of fighters busy including his charge Richard Rodriguez.
These fighters were all hoping for a win and if all had gone right for them, it would be a 4-for-4 ending in this story. But as things often go awry in boxing, one camp suffered the huge disappointment of a canceled bout, one team settled for a draw, one fighter was tested with a loss with only one fighter hearing emcee Jim FitzGerald raising his hand in victory.
That’s boxing.
And in a baseball analogy (with “Playoff Fever” beginning today), it’s good to remember that the legendary Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times…BUT HE ALSO HIT 714 HOME RUNS!
It’s not about failing, it’s about trying. You can’t win every time (unless you are Floyd Mayweather)! Often it’s all about the journey in working hard, training hard. When you’re knocked down, do you stay down? Or do you rise, vowing to come back stronger? I’m sure these battle-tested punchers will be back soon, maybe stronger than ever. Look for these four to work hard in making their own personal dreams and goals come true.
The next All Star Promotions show will be Friday, October 25, where you can catch more fresh-faced boxers fighting for a chance to be a star.
Photos by Michele Chong