A couple of friends, both sons of a southern Arizona city with a long and lively boxing history, lived up to their hometown’s ring tradition and left a capacity crowd at Casino Del Sol wanting to see more.
Wilberth Lopez and Alfonzo Olvera left all the ingredients for junior-welterweight rematch. They also left some of their blood and lot of their hearts. It ended Saturday night with plenty of reasons for a sequel, including a split decision.
Lopez (23-9, 15 KOs) won, getting the advantage on two scorecards, 77-74 and 76-75. Olvera (10-5-1, 4 KOs) had a 76-75 edge on the third card. By definition, split decisions are controversial and there was plenty of debate about this one among everybody in the 1,700 seats in a casino ballroom.
Lopez scored the bout’s only knockdown, a counter right in the second round. But a suddenly energized Olvera came roaring back in the third and was the aggressor throughout the next three to four rounds.
The lanky Olvera stubbornly pursued, landing shots with both hands. In the eighth and final round, however, Lopez staged a late and critical assault, rocking Olvera at least twice with a quick left hook, his most effective weapon.
After it as all over, the two embraced in the center of the ring. For them, there was no debate.
“We wanted to come home and put on a good show for the people who know us best,’’ Olvera said. “I think we did that.’’
Did it well enough to do it again.
“I would love to,’’ said Raging Babe promoter Michelle Rosado, who staged the entertaining show in association with Russell Peltz.
A lot of Tucson would love it, too.
In a good co-main bout, Tucson lightweight Jensen Ramirez (6-2-3, 1 KO), a popular tattoo artist when he isn’t tattooing opponents with punches, scored a majority decision over Jose Arevalo (2-4) of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Best of the Undercard
Tucson bantamweight Mike Martinez got it right this time.
Two years after losing his pro debut, Martinez, (1-1, 1 KO), a decorated Arizona amateur, re-started his pro career, employing fast hands to blow away Bryan Ramirez (0-3) of Kansas City with three knockdowns in the first round.
Martinez stayed away from boxing after his debut loss. It was time to re-think what had been a boyhood dream. It looks as if he made the right decision.
The Rest
Tucson junior-middleweight Nicholas Rhoads (4-0, 2 KOs) had all the power and Hamilton Ash (0-1) had all of the slick defense. Power prevailed. Rhodes won a unanimous decision.
Phoenix junior welterweight Jose Barrera (1-0) won his debut, scoring a split decision over Tucson rival Judas Estrada (1-1) in a result that left some southern Arizona fans howling as if they had just seen Arizona State beat the University of Arizona in the state’s football rivalry.
Tucson welterweight Christopher Gonzalez (3-0) scored a majority decision over Sergio Lopez (0-1) of Phoenix.
Tucson middleweight Emmanuel Guajardo (3-0) scored a unanimous decision over Jordan Gregory (0-3-2) of Albuquerque.