Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles played host to the third installment of it's monthly series on Thursday, April 22, with a 7-bout card. In the main event, Enrique Ornelas, La Habra, CA, made a triumphant return to the ring after his decision loss to Bernard Hopkins, with a 4 round TKO over Tacoma, WA's Julius Fogle. Ornelas weighed in under the 168lb limit for the bout, and effectively outboxed Fogle for the first 3 rounds. While Ornelas controlled the action, neither man did much engaging until a leaping left hook in the fourth round floored Fogle, who made no effort to rise. He was counted out at 1:12 of the round. Ornelas moves to 30-6-(20 KO's), while Fogle drops to 15-4(10 KO's).
Van Nuys Cruiserweight Deon Elam returned to action after his Contender contract finally expired, and won a four round decision over Philadelphia's Andre Hemphill. Hemphill showed decent fundamentals, but quickly ran out of gas after a few rounds, and was being caught by the faster and taller Elam. Elam scored a knockdown at the end of the fourth round, and appeared to be close to a stoppage win, but the bout ended after round four amidst confusion. The fight had been scheduled for six rounds, but was mistakenly shortened without all parties being notified. By the time the error was discovered, the gloves had already been cut off. Elam was announced the winner by a shutout unanimous decision. Elam moves to 11-1-(5 KO's), while Hemphill drops to 8-15-2 (5 KO's).
Bantameight Khadir Suleymanov, of West Hollywood by way of Russia, continued his unbeaten streak by scoring a six-round decision over San Diego spoiler Bengi Garcia. Suleymanov took a couple of rounds to warm up, but graudally landed the crisper shots against the wilder Garcia. The San Diego native never stopped coming forward, even when frequently rocked by counter right hands. There were no knockdowns, but good action throughout. Garcia drops to a 500 record, 14-14-3 (1 KO). Suleymanov is now 10-0 (4 KO's).
In a bout of two debuting Junior Middleweights, Lancaster, CA's Roberto Reyes won a 1st round knockout over Salt Lake City, UT's Azamat Umarzoda. Umarzoda showed aggression, but Reyes merely bided his time, looking for an opening. He found it towards the end of the round, and landed a brutal left hook which floored Umarzoda. The Salt Lake City fighter made it to his feet, but staggered back, and the bout was waved off at 2:45.
Luis Martinez rasied his record to 2-3 (1 KO) with a unanimous four round decision over Juan Sandoval. The two southern California Junior Lightweights mixed it up, with Martinez getting the better of the action, due to his aggressiveness throughout. Sandoval drops to 1-2 (1 KO).
In the opening bout, Japanese Light Heavyweight Hiromitsu Miura won a four round decision over Tenessee's Nathan Bedwell. Bedwell showed heart, as well as durability, but his defense was lacking, and Miura was able to land the cleaner, more effective punches. Bedwell drops to 0-2, while Miura moves to 2-0.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
