FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA — An intriguing crossroads battle headlines tonight’s edition of Telefutura Solo Boxeo, as world ranked contender Antonio Escalante attempts to rebound from a devastating kayo against fellow exciting action fighter Alejandro Perez at the Fairfield Sports Center. Fighters weighed in Thursday evening at the Courtyard by Marriott Fairfield Napa Valley Area in Fairfield.
Escalante (24-3, 15 KOs) of El Paso, Texas by way of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico was last seen in action in September when he took on former champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in a WBO Featherweight title eliminator. Unfortunately for Escalante the power-punching Ponce De Leon proved to be too much, and the fight ended in a brutal third-round knockout loss. Escalante, still the IBF #6/WBO #14 ranked 126-pounder, has opted to move up to super featherweight for this fight.
Much like Escalante, Perez (14-2-1, 9 KOs) of Salinas, California has been known for providing entertaining fights, and much like Escalante, he looks to rebound from a loss. Perez has been out of the ring since dropping an eight-round decision to emerging contender Rico Ramos in November 2009. Perez had planned to move up to featherweight and take on undefeated prospect Ronny Rios last week, but soon after that fight fell out, he was offered the crack at Escalante in a fight one weight class further up the scale.
Weight became a storyline to tonight’s main event at yesterday’s weigh-in. When originally approached for the fight, Perez was asked to sign for a 132-pound catchweight bout. When Perez said that was too heavy, Escalante’s team agreed to 130-pounds and the fight was a go. However, when Escalante first took the scales he came in at 132-pounds, while Perez made 130.
Escalante did sweat off the two extra pounds and make 130 within the two hour time frame allotted by the California State Athletic Commission, but had he not the fight could have been in jeopardy. “He came in two pounds heavier than I did,” said Perez after Escalante’s initial attempt. “I made the sacrifice to lose the weight. I dug down to get to 130, which was the contract. What we decided is that he has two hours to lose the weight, and if he doesn’t, we are not going to fight.” Time will tell if Escalante’s struggle with the scale will have any effect on him, or maybe even add extra fuel to Perez’ fire.
In the televised co-feature, two unheralded fighters get the chance to shine in front of a national audience as Clint Coronel (3-1-2, 1 KO) of San Jose, California takes on Carlos Musquez (3-4-3, 3 KOs) of Sacramento, California in a six-round light middleweight fight. Coronel, who scaled 150 ½, has only one loss on his record, but he just as easily could be undefeated. The lone blemish was the result of a cut stoppage in a fight with Roberto Reyes, which replays indicated was initiated by a headbutt. In his last time out, Coronel fought undefeated Richard Hargraves to a four-round draw. Musquez, who came in at 149 ½, ended a two-and-one-half year layoff in January with a four-round draw against unbeaten Anthony Martinez.
In a four-round super bantamweight swing bout, former local amateur standout Manuel Avila (2-0, 1 KO) of Vacaville, California takes on Frank Gutierrez (2-8-2, 1 KO) of Highland, California. Avila pleased his local following with a fourth-round kayo of Carlos Garcia at the Fairfield Sports Center just last month. Originally scheduled to fight last week, Avila, who scaled 121, is pleased to have another opportunity to fight at home. Gutierrez, who came in at 120, has met a tough run of prospects and faces another one tonight.
Fresh off of a dominant showing at this same venue last month, Guy Robb (2-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California looks to thrill his local fan base again, this time against debuting Manuel Morales of Orosi, California in a four-round lightweight bout. For the second straight time, Robb’s opponent came in heavy, as Morales scaled 136-pounds. Robb, who plans to campaign as a featherweight eventually, scaled 131-pounds Thursday.
Super bantamweight prospect Roman Morales (1-0, 1 KO) of San Ardo, California will take on tough luck pro Danny Pantoja (0-3-2) of Fairfield in a four-round bout. Morales, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, capped a stellar amateur run with a gold medal at the Four Nations Tournament in France last November and turned pro with a first-round knockout in February. Pantoja has fought prospects almost exclusively, coming up short in two majority decisions and one split decision. Morales scaled 123-pounds, while Pantoja came in at 125.
Trevor McCumby (1-0, 1 KO) of Glendale, Arizona will take on Nathan Ortiz (0-1) of Crystal River, Florida in a four-round cruiserweight bout. McCumby, the 2010 Under 19 National Champion at 178-pounds, was quite the imposing figure as he scaled 183-pounds Thursday. Ortiz, who will be at a great height disadvantage, weighed in at 182-pounds.
Remaining tickets for the event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Jorge Marron Productions and Paco Presents, will be sold at the door.
Quick Weigh-in Results:
Super Featherweights, 10 Rounds
Escalante 130
Perez 130
Light Middleweights, 6 Rounds
Coronel 150 ½
Musquez 149 ½
Super Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Avila 121
Gutierrez 120
Super Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Morales 123
Pantoja 125
Lightweights, 4 Rounds
Robb 131
Morales 136
Cruiserweights, 4 Rounds
McCumby 183
Ortiz 182
Mario Ortega Jr. can be contacted at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
