Palm Desert, CA Boxing Roundup: A Night of Upsets, Divine Intervention, and Golden Boy's DAZN Finale
By Miguel Maravilla
Boxing fans, get ready for a recap of an action-packed night in Palm Desert, California, where the gloves flew, and the unexpected happened! Let's dive into the highlights:
Chavez Triumphs Over Flores in a Rematch for the Ages
The co-feature bout saw super bantamweights Jorge Chavez of Tijuana (15-0-1, 8 KO's) and Manuel "Gucci" Flores of Coachella, California (20-2-1, 16 KO's) settle their score. Their rematch was a thrilling continuation of their first encounter. Chavez ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory after a competitive fight. Chavez's offensive prowess in the later rounds, as Flores appeared fatigued, was a key factor. The judges' scores were 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94, solidifying Chavez's win.
Iriarte vs. De Los Santos: A Fight Scratched by a Higher Power
In a turn of events that's sure to raise eyebrows, the welterweight bout between Joel Iriarte of Bakersfield (9-0, 8 KO's) and Jireh De Los Santos of Weslaco, Texas (14-2-2, 5 KO's) was canceled at the last minute. De Los Santos withdrew, citing divine intervention – specifically, a message from God advising him that the fight wasn't safe. This fight was set to be part of the Raul Curiel vs. Jordan Panthen undercard. It's worth noting that this card also marked the end of Golden Boy Promotions' long-standing deal with DAZN.
Abdulaev Dominates Abreu with a Fifth-Round Stoppage
Uzbekistan's Ruslan Abdulaev (4-0, 2 KO's) showcased his power, stopping Eduardo Abreu of Uruguay (14-2-2, 10 KO's) in the fifth round of their super lightweight clash. Abdulaev's early aggression sent Abreu to the canvas in the third round. Although Abreu continued, Abdulaev dropped him again in the fifth, prompting the referee to intervene at 2:59 of the round.
Griffiths Goes the Distance in a Dominant Performance
Opening the DAZN segment, super welterweight Cayden Griffiths of Coachella (7-0, 6 KO's) secured a unanimous decision victory over Lesther Espino of Nicaragua (10-8, 8 KO's). Griffiths controlled the fight from the start, scoring a knockdown and displaying superior skill. The judges' scores were a clean sweep: 60-53 across the board.
Ramirez Outworks Rojas in a Scrappy Victory
John "Scrappy" Ramirez (16-1, 9 KO's) returned to the ring, earning a majority decision win against Byron Rojas of Nicaragua (29-6-3, 12 KO's) in a super flyweight bout. Ramirez's superior skill and hand speed were evident from the start. Although Rojas pressed in the later rounds, Ramirez's strategic boxing and jab work secured the win. The judges scored the bout 98-92, 97-93, and 95-95.
Guzman's Sixth-Round Stoppage of Rodriguez
Middleweight prospect Fabian Guzman (9-0, 8 KO's) notched a sixth-round stoppage victory over Jose Rodriguez (3-2, 2 KO's). Guzman's patient approach, including effective body shots, wore down Rodriguez, leading to the referee's intervention at 2:36 of the sixth round.
Rubacalva Remains Undefeated After Eight Rounds
In the opening bout at the Acrisure Arena, welterweight Ricardo Rubacalva of Ventura, California (15-0-1, 10 KO's) went the distance with Argentinian veteran Jonathan Eniz (37-25-1, 17 KO's). Rubacalva's composure and effective jab kept Eniz at bay, and he secured a decision victory with scores of 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73.
So, what do you think? Did you agree with the judges' decisions? What was the most surprising moment of the night? And what are your thoughts on De Los Santos's withdrawal? Share your opinions in the comments below!
