Escobedo Destroys The Flushing Flash

By Erik Killin

2004 U.S. Olympian Vincente Escobedo finally made his return to Sacramento after a few postponements. In the main event at Arco arena tonight Woodlands Vincent Escobedo improved his record to 21-1 13 Ko's by knocking out former WBC featherweight champ Kevin Kelley in front of a loud hometown crowd. Kelley came out dry in a slow close round one. In round two Escobedo stepped on the gas and dropped Kelley with a right hand. Kelley got up but was quickly swarmed and was down again. Kevin beat the count but was in bad shape, referee John Schorlee stopped the fight at 1:53 of round two.

Escobedo has started off 09 where he left of in 08 continuing his hot streak and adding his second win in two months. Escobedo has really shown improvement since he started working with Nacho Beristain about two years ago.

Super Bantamweight prospect Christopher Martin dominated Torrence Daniels for four rounds before referee John Schorlee stepped in at 2:59 of round five. After a somewhat close first round it was all Martin who was the aggressor backing Daniels up most the fight.

Martin found his range in round three and started to land some hard shots. Martin dropped Daniels in round five and then finished him off with a left hook to the body at the very end of the round. Chula Vista's Christopher martin remains undefeated going to 15-0-2 3 Ko's.

In six round Jr. Welterweight bout Andrew Cancio 8-1-1 8 Ko's of Blythe, Ca. took on Michael Lynks 8-10 4 Ko's from Chicago. The heavy handed Cancio stunned Lynks on more than one occasion in the early rounds. Cancio also showed superb defense in the fight managing to pick off most of Lynks shots. In round three Cancio started to find his range landing some solid straight shots. By round five Lynks right eye was swollen and he was loosing every round. Cancio landed a combo that put Lynks on the ropes and referee John Schorlee had seen enough. Lynks was irate & the majority of the crowd was as well. Cancio improves to 9-1-1 9 Ko's.

In what was easily the fight of the night Super bantamweights Akihiko Nago form Tokyo, Japan took on Juan Jose Beltran of Los Mochis, Mexico. It was back and forth early with both guys landing some decent shots. In round tow the southpaw Nago upped the body attack winning the round, An accidental clash of heads in round three did not slow these two down as Beltran came back to win the round. The action slowed in round four as both fighters seemed to take a much needed round off. They went right back at it in rounds five and six taking turns backing each other into the ropes and landing some solid combos. Beltran's body work was the difference as he managed to pull off a unanimous decision in this crowd pleasing bout. Scores were English 59-55 Sammon 59-55 Schorlee 58-56. I scored it 58-56 Beltran.

Sacramento's own Brandon Gonzales made quick work of late sub Ray Craig. Gonzales controlled the pace for first two minutes before dropping Craig with a left hook to the body out of nowhere. Gonzales improves to 8-0 7 Ko's.

Fairfield's undefeated heavyweight prospect Ashanti Jordan fought a very slow paced and cautious six round unanimous decision over 285 pound Alvaro Morales. Jordan who should have easily been able to outwork the overweight Morales threw as little as possible in this snoozer. All three judges scored the bout 59-55.

In a pretty good four round opener heavyweight Henry Wells of Sacramento took on Tony Johnson of San Jose. Both fighters were making their pro debut. Wells was able to overcome a noticeable size differential by landing his left hook early and often. Johnson came back in round two in a very even round two. Wells seemed to tire in rounds three and four while Johnson used his reach to land some solid one two combos. Johnson won a majority decision earning his first win. Two judges scored the bout 39-37 and the third had it scored 38-38.

This was a much better and more competitive under card than we saw a week ago in Oakland. Local boxers on hand where Juan Lazcano, Rogelio Castaneda Jr. and Nestor Garza