Bash Boxing and Art of Boxing returned to Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California for the first time in 4 1/2 years, as part of a Top Rank showcase on Solo Boxeo. It was a sellout crowd, with extra chairs brought in, and the fans were treated to several great action fights, and thrilling KO's.
Former WBC featherweight and WBC junior lightweight world champion Takahiro Ao scored a devastating knockout over Hardy Paredes of Chile on Saturday night at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California. A short right hand by Ao in round two sent Paredes to the canvas. Paredes quickly got up but a straight left by the Japanese fighter knocked out Paredes cold, as referee Wayne Hedgepeth waved the bout at 2:51 of round two. With the win Takahiro Ao wins his U.S. debut and improves to 24-3-1, 10 KOs and Hardy Paredes falls to 16-12, 10 KOs.
In the main event, Alejandro Perez (19-3-1, 13 KOs) of Salinas, California scored a seventh round KO over veteran Edgar "Basura" Riovalle (35-16-2, 25 KOs). Early on Perez picked his shots and landed overhand rights. In round four Perez began to bleed above right eye from a headbutt. Riovalle’s experience was evident, as well as his durability. However in round seven a liver shot by Perez floored Riovalle and referee Lou Moret reached the ten count at 1:14 of the round 7.
Welterweight Zach Wohlman, Los Angeles, got back into the win column with a 40-36 shutout against Saul Avelar, of Moses Lake, WA. Avelar tried to get Wolhman to slug with him, but to no avail, as "Kid Yamaka was content to box his way to victory, even rocking Avelar in the final round. Wohlman is now 5-1-1-1 KO, while Avelar is now 2-8.
Light heavyweight Trevor McCumby (12-0, 10 KOs) needed just 29 seconds to demolish Reynaldo Rodriguez (6-7-1, 3 KOs). Referee Wayne Hedgepeth marred an already one sided fight, when he failed to call Rodriguez as down, while the Rhode Island fighter was clearly seated on the ropes. A confused McCumby paused, then unloaded another right hand. Hedgpeth finally stepped in, but not to count.. to stop the fight. McCumby is from Chicago, but trains out of Oxnard with the Garcias.
Speaking of Oxnard, Super Bantamweight Erik Ruiz remained unbeaten with a four round technical knockout of Pablo Cupul in the walkout bout. Ruiz, also trained by the Garcias, notched his 9th straight win, and fourth KO, as the one-sided bout was stopped at the end of round four. Cupul, of San Diego, drops to 8-12.
In a battle of Southern California jr featherweight prospects, Riverside’s unbeaten Saul Rodriguez (10-0-1, 7 KOs) stopped Dominic Coca (8-4, 2 KOs) in a scheduled six round junior featherweight bout. Rodriguez was relaxed, patiently shooting his jab following with left hooks early on. In round three, however, Rodriguez attacked Coca with a barrage of punches backing him to the ropes and sending him staggering to his corner. Referee Jerry Cantu stopped the fight at the end of round three.
It was a great night for Riverside, as Alberto Herrera upset previously unbeaten Levan Ghvamichava of Georgia in a six round split verdict. Herrera was outworked at trimes, but used superior boxing skills to control distance. He pulls to .500 at 9-9-2-3 KO;s, while the Georgian drops to (10-1-3 KOs).
In a scheduled four round featherweight bout, Pedro Duran put Anthony Briones to sleep with a barrage of devastating punches in scoring a first round knockout. Referee Wayne Hedgepeth stop the fight at 2:06 as Briones was out cold. Pedro Duran improves his record to 2-0, 2 KOs.
Ukrainian cruiserweight Vyacheslav Shabranskyy won a unanimous decision over a tough Daquan Morgan in a six round bout. The two fighters exchanged punches as Shabransky boxed from a distance shooting the jab followed by rights. While Morgan charged in throwing wide punches. He finally rocked Shabranskyy in the 5th, but it was not enough. Two judges scored the bout 60-54 and one judge had it 59-55 as Shabranskyy rises to 4-0, 3 KOs, Morgan falls to 3-2-1-1, 3 KOs.
In the opening Heavyweight bout, Cuban knockout artist Yuniel "Doctor Knockout" Dorticos (15-0, 15 KOs) continued his knockout streak as he scored a second round KO over Keith Barr (10-3, 3 KOs). An accumulation of punches forced referee Lou Moret to stop the contest at 1:19 of round two.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
