Clinton Chavez captures UBO Title with Late Finish
UBO title was on the line and the show closed in the final seconds.
Story by Franklin Romero.
If you’re a boxing aficionado Legacy Boxing of Albuquerque put on a show in the Duke City last Saturday night—and—oh boy, were you in for an energetic night with local talent giving their all for the hometown crowd at the “Battle of the Pyramid” at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North hotel. Out of 8 scheduled bouts 7 made the cut and many of the fights were slugfests that kept the referees busy, and the crowd wowed.
In the main event, the UBO Super Welterweight Championship was on the line. Clinton “Native Kid” Chavez of Albuquerque, NM came in at 7-2 (4 KO) and his opponent Mario Gonzalez of Hobbs NM came in with an equally impressive record of 5-0 (4KO). Gonzalez came out of his corner hot and bolstered by a large hometown crowd who came up to support him. The Hobbs fighter went to work early on Chavez with an aggressive posture and flurries of punches. Chavez, who also had a large and vocal crowd supporting him, stayed poised and eventually launched his own barrages countering Gonzalez’s initial early round lead. “I knew he was tough opponent–I’ve seen him fight before ” said Chavez after the bout. “I kind of knew it would go 8 rounds–my corner said I had to take these last 2 rounds—I had to take him out and I did,” said Chavez. “I seen him hurt–I took advantage of that–I saw him breathing hard and I just took advantage—I got it done,” said Chavez in conclusion. Chavez won his first professional championship by TKO in the 8th and final round as the referee stopped the match at 2:55.
In the Co-Feature of the night Heavyweights Cody East of Los Lunas came in at 5-1 (4KO) and battled Manuel Eastman of Albuquerque who came in at 3-8, (1KO) 2 Draws. In this match both boxers were very determined, and it showed as both gave their all in this rematch from 2015. Eastman used uppercuts and jabs cutting East on the side of the head. East utilized his height and reach advantages connecting significantly several times, but Eastman kept eating up the punches. In the end it came to a decision for East 60-54, 59-55, 56-58. After the fight East indicated he wanted to fight Eastman in Bare Knuckle.
In the Super Lightweight action (4 rounds), a double debut, Isaiah Aguilar of Albuquerque NM making defeated Cody Chavez also from Albuquerque NM, by a unanimous decision 40-36, 39-37, 38-38. This was another high intensity fight which wowed the crowd with heated back and forth action as neither boxer wanted to leave the Pyramid with a loss. A close loss for Chavez who I’m sure will be back, he gave a strong performance as did Aguilar who just edged him out after 4 rounds. Aguilar said “I’m going back to the lab” as he prepares for his next future bout.
In the female feature match up at Middleweight, Jordanne “OMG” Garcia (4-4-3 Draw) of Albuquerque defeated Kayla Williams (2-5 (1KO) 1 Draw) of New Iberia, Louisiana by a decision 60-53, 59-54, 60-53 after 6 rounds. Yet another crowd favorite, can it be? Yes, it was! Garcia came in with a loud parade livening the crowd. An energy that carried through the fight and parade back to the locker-room. Garcia and Williams pretty much were even after 1st and the rest of the rounds Garcia increased her intensity and even cut Williams; however, Garcia couldn’t put away the tough Louisianan who woke up and responded with her own punches. In the later rounds Garcia relentlessly attack wearing down Williams who resorted to holding and eventually was docked a point for holding. After the bout Jordanne said “I love this sport and my lord and Savior.”
A 4 round Welterweight match saw Richard “Ricky” Esquibel of Albuquerque who came in at 0-2 but left 1-2 after defeating Pedro Medina of El Paso, TX in his debut match by TKO. Between the 3rd and 4th rounds Medina’s corner threw in the towel. Esquibel picked up the fight on short notice and quickly drew the crowd’s attention as he moved, punched and walked down Medina. The first crowd favorite of the night.
Esquibel came in with a smile which was full of confidence. In the 1st Esquibel showed he was more prepared than Medino. In the second round Medina kept up with Esquibel but Esquibel still came out ahead in that second round. The 3rd round was all Esquibel whose smile grew when he was crowned the winner.
The first match of the night saw David Heredia of Alamosa, CO defeat a disappointed Jacob Sedillo of Albuquerque NM in what was scheduled for 4 rounds at Cruiserweight. Heredia won by TKO after the ringside physician stopped the bout after 1st much to the dismay of Sedillo who I’m sure wanted the fight to continue. Heredia dominated that round with body shots and punches that quickly forced Sedillo to cover. Battle at the Pyramid photo album.
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