PRIMM, NEVADA — Rising light welterweight Jessie Vargas announced his arrival with a stoppage of former world champion Vivian Harris in the televised main event of Telefutura Solo Boxeo emanating from the Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino on Friday night. The bout ended after the first round when Harris remained on his stool, a decision that may effectively end his career, or at minimum its relevancy.
Vargas (15-0, 8 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada stunned Harris (29-6-1, 19 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York by way of Georgetown, Guyana with the first shot he threw, a solid left hook. Vargas’ body attack clearly bothered Harris, 145, from the outset as well. Vargas, 143, allowed himself to get backed into the ropes briefly, but the Las Vegan quickly turned the situation around, landing a body shot that hurt Harris again.
Seconds later, Vargas landed a right that may have found Harris high on the head which ruined the former WBA Light Welterweight titleholder’s equilibrium. When action resumed, Vargas dug to Harris’ body before following with a straight right. The blow dropped Harris on the seat of his pants to the bottom rope, but with the bell ringing, referee Joe Cortez opted to not rule a knockdown. It proved to be academic, as Harris informed Cortez that he would not be continuing in the bout. According to Harris’ corner, it was completely their fighter’s decision to stop the contest.
With the victory, Vargas has a good name on his resume that could make him viable for an opportunity with a name fighter and perhaps a world ranking. Unfortunately for Harris, it appears to be the end of the line. A career that was so promising in 2003 has sputtered sharply downward. Harris had trouble making the contracted 144-pounds at yesterday’s weigh-in, taking the scale four times to get down to 145. Harris had said he wanted to fight as a welterweight, but needed to take the fights that he was offered in order to take care of his financial responsibilities. It is a formula that may lead Harris unwisely back into the ring.
Eddie Gomez (4-0, 3 KOs) of the Bronx, New York was not the aggressive puncher we have seen on television for his first three pro bouts, but he still outclassed Roberto Lopez (4-2-2, 1 KO) of Kissimmee, Florida in the six-round co-feature. Gomez, 150.5, did put the hurt on Lopez, 150.5, late in the opening round. The left hook was his primary effective weapon throughout the fight and it did the damage early. Gomez stunned Lopez with it, forcing the San Diego resident into the ropes for a damaging flurry of mostly lefts.
Somewhat inexplicably Gomez turned into a mover in the second round, and remained one thru most of the middle rounds. Gomez hurt Lopez in the third, as he uncorked a left hook and followed up with a flurry along the ropes. Gomez connected with two more left hooks before getting back on his toes and moving around the ring. In the end, Gomez was the unanimous winner by scores of 60-53, 59-55 and 59-54.
In an upset of sorts, power-punching prospect Bastie Samir (10-0-1, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Accra, Ghana was held to a six-round draw by Lester Gonzalez (11-3-2, 6 KOs) of San Diego, California by way of Havana, Cuba. Samir revealed plenty of defensive faults, but that may have been due to his low level of respect for Gonzalez’ power. In stretches it was an exciting fight, but in others it was not.
The free-swinging Samir, 161.5, was caught clean in several exchanges, but it was clear that Gonzalez, 163, was no puncher. The action really heated up in the third round, as neither fighter had any regard for defense and traded wildly. Samir was caught clean plenty, but did not appear to be too affected. Gonzalez, game, especially in the early going, landed a few wild swings himself.
The pace slowed in the middle rounds, but Samir appeared to be getting the more damaging punches through. Gonzalez was less and less willing to trade, before turning up the aggression in the sixth and final round. In the end, two judges had it 58-56 each way. The third judge made the draw with a 57-57 scorecard.
In a sloppy, but entertaining slugfest, Alexander Flores (4-0, 2 KOs) of Rowland Heights, California scored a minor upset over Quadtrine Hill (4-2, 1 KO) of Hollywood, California via four-round unanimous decision. Hill 219.5, you may recall was on the cover of ESPN The Magazine back in December of 2009, due to his status as a former University of Miami fullback and NFL practice squader. Flores, 225.5, decided he was not going to stick to the script, and he outslugged Hill en route to the decision by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice. Flores’ ability to make the off balance Hill pay for his mistakes was the difference.
In the opener, Paul Green (2-1) of Compton, California outworked Kai Zama (5-3, 3 KOs) of Costa Mesa, California by way of Tokyo, Japan over four rounds in what ended up being scored a split decision. Green, 136.5, was the quicker and flashier boxer in the bout. Zama, 139, moved forward and made a fight, but appeared to be outworked in just about every round. One judge favored Zama, 39-37. The other two judges had the fight for the winner Green, 39-37.
In a rousing walkout bout, Tatini Anderson (3-1-1, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas fought returning Lissette Medel (2-1-1) of Maywood, California to a four-round majority draw. Affectionately referred to as Mini Tyson, Anderson, 139, had the clear power edge, especially early. Medel, 138, was nothing if not game, especially considering she was ending a four-and-a-third year layoff.
Fighting in a Tyson-esque style, Anderson landed well and often in the first. Medel managed to back her to the ropes, but Anderson quickly landed a right that forced the Maywood native back to center ring. Medel landed a left that caught Anderson flush early in the second, and Anderson responded with a flurry to the body. However, Anderson’s punches seemed to have lost a little steam by the end of the round.
After a solid back-and-forth third round, which may have been edged by Anderson, both females opened up to start the fourth. Before ring announcer Joe Martinez could finishing telling everyone ringside that it was the fourth and final round, Anderson and Medel were going toe-to-toe, trading heavy shots. In the end, one judge had it for Anderson, 39-37, but was overruled by the other two, 38-38.
Promoter Roy Englebrecht informed the media that should both combatants be willing to do a rematch, he would attempt to put it together for his May 19th event at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California. After the fight, members of Medel’s team informed this writer that Anderson’s side already turned down the immediate rematch. That information is unverified as of press time.
Tonight’s card was a special edition of the “Fight Club Primm” series, which normally features both boxing and mixed martial arts. Roy Englebrecht Promotions will team with Golden Boy Promotions for another special edition of the series at Buffalo Bill’s on July 9th. When tickets go on sale, they will be made available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Delays
Not to close on a sour note after an excellent night of action, but something that requires mentioning, even though it is common practice for televised boxing events, would be the delays television crews cause in the flow of an event for the audience on hand.
Several TV-related delays occurred around the second fight of the night, the heavyweight clash between Alexander Flores and Quadtrine Hill. The fight was delayed several times after Flores entered the ring. The reason for a delay of close to ten minutes was that the TV crew needed time to film a segment, but the live show was continuing on regardless. After some confusion, Hill came out to the ring, but the fight was still held up for television taping. After another five minute pause to allow the cameramen to get into taping position of the introductions, the fight took place.
After the final televised fight ended, the women’s attraction remained, but production caused a delay in the start of that bout as well. Promoter Roy Englebrecht, clearly bothered by the delays, informed the TV crew that they needed to wrap up so that the fighters could come to the ring. Finally Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer ordered the next fight out, ending the delay.
The issue of balancing producing a televised event, while still keeping the house crowd entertained – and not halting the flow of the show – has become a consistent problem and one that has become more and more noticeable in recent weeks. This issue is something the powers that be in the sport need to address if they wish to keep fans coming thru the turnstiles instead of turning on their television.
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
