David Cardenas

David Cardenas Shines Again at the Shrine Auuditorium in San Antonio

Surging little man David Cardenas of San Antonio continues to come up big!  "El Giro", as he is known, dominated and outclassed Jaime Guevara of Laredo, who fell to 2-3-1 (0). Cardenas dazzled the packed-out crowd with electric footwork and thudding body attack. Cardenas was relentless and stayed before the Laredo native throughout the scheduled six-round affair unleashing lightning-fast combos and slowing Guevara down with thudding body shots. One in particular, landed for Cardenas and froze Guevara, and El Giro turned it up and jumped on his wounded opponent. That was enough, and the corner of Guevara stepped in and stopped the fight, saving the brave combatant from more damage. Cardenas who was accompanied by San Antonio Spurs swingman Keldon Johnson as usual improved his record to 8-0 (6) and took another step forward to what projects to be a world title shot in the near future.  

In the main event of the evening, Uvalde, native, Paul Hernandez lit the crowd on fire in his pro debut. Scoring a first-round knockout in San Antonio back in May. However, Hernandez, who had a huge cheering section, got outworked and outlanded by Brandon Gutierrez, a southpaw from San Antonio who picked up the majority decision to move his record to 3-2 (1). 

Javier "El Indo" Fernandez, the fan favorite from San Antonio, moved his record to 16-0 (7), as he beat up a naturally much bigger man in Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez of El Salvador. The fight was contested at 135 a full weight class or two, larger than what Fernandez naturally competes at. The San Antonio-based fighter dilated more footwork and movement then we are used to. He foot at the back foot as the bigger Rodriguez tried to use his weight to his advantage. Fernendez was able to fight the larger man off, and attacked the body, and scored with slicing and accurate combinations, earning him a majority decision by scores of 60-54, 59-55, and a ridiculous 57-57 card. 

Two undefeated south Texans put their "0" on the lines and let it all go as Fabian "Unknown Warrior" Diaz of Edinburg and is one of the brightest prospects in the Lone Star State, took on Isaac Bermea of Eagle Pass and as the boxing gods would have it, both warriors left with their 0's intact as the two combatants settled for a disputed draw.  By scores of 39-37 Diaz and 38-38, Diaz moved to 6-0-1 and Bermea 4-01. Diaz seemed to outwork and outland his opponent. The quickier twitchier athlete. Diaz landed consistently with the overhand right and scored with sharp, precise counters. However, he was too straight in and out and often got caught with thudding right hands from Berma at long range. One, in particular, scored that seemed to bother Diaz in the fourth and final round and that perhaps earned the man from Eagle pass the Majority draw. 

Also on the card Gutierrez secured a second-round knockdown to bounce back from his first career loss to Laredo native Jiame Jasso back in April and picked up the win by scores of 40-35 x3 to move his record 11-1 (1). 

Richard Medina kept his win streak alive, moved his record to 5-0-1 (1), and his comeback continues to cook as Medina picked up a unanimous decision victory by scores of 40-36 and 39-37x2 and picked up his third straight win since taking a 40-month layoff following 2019.Surging little man David Cardenas of San Antonio continues to come up big!  "El Giro", as he is known, dominated and outclassed Jaime Guevara of Laredo, who fell to 2-3-1 (0). Cardenas dazzled the packed-out crowd with electric footwork and thudding body attack. Cardenas was relentless and stayed before the Laredo native throughout the scheduled six-round affair unleashing lightning-fast combos and slowing Guevara down with thudding body shots. One in particular, landed for Cardenas and froze Guevara, and El Giro turned it up and jumped on his wounded opponent. That was enough, and the corner of Guevara stepped in and stopped the fight, saving the brave combatant from more damage. Cardenas who was accompanied by San Antonio Spurs swingman Keldon Johnson as usual improved his record to 8-0 (6) and took another step forward to what projects to be a world title shot in the near future.  

In the main event of the evening, Uvalde, native, Paul Hernandez lit the crowd on fire in his pro debut. Scoring a first-round knockout in San Antonio back in May. However, Hernandez, who had a huge cheering section, got outworked and outlanded by Brandon Gutierrez, a southpaw from San Antonio who picked up the majority decision to move his record to 3-2 (1). 

Javier "El Indo" Fernandez, the fan favorite from San Antonio, moved his record to 16-0 (7), as he beat up a naturally much bigger man in Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez of El Salvador. The fight was contested at 135 a full weight class or two, larger than what Fernandez naturally competes at. The San Antonio-based fighter dilated more footwork and movement then we are used to. He foot at the back foot as the bigger Rodriguez tried to use his weight to his advantage. Fernendez was able to fight the larger man off, and attacked the body, and scored with slicing and accurate combinations, earning him a majority decision by scores of 60-54, 59-55, and a ridiculous 57-57 card. 

Two undefeated south Texans put their "0" on the lines and let it all go as Fabian "Unknown Warrior" Diaz of Edinburg and is one of the brightest prospects in the Lone Star State, took on Isaac Bermea of Eagle Pass and as the boxing gods would have it, both warriors left with their 0's intact as the two combatants settled for a disputed draw.  By scores of 39-37 Diaz and 38-38, Diaz moved to 6-0-1 and Bermea 4-01. Diaz seemed to outwork and outland his opponent. The quickier twitchier athlete. Diaz landed consistently with the overhand right and scored with sharp, precise counters. However, he was too straight in and out and often got caught with thudding right hands from Berma at long range. One, in particular, scored that seemed to bother Diaz in the fourth and final round and that perhaps earned the man from Eagle pass the Majority draw. 

Also on the card Gutierrez secured a second-round knockdown to bounce back from his first career loss to Laredo native Jiame Jasso back in April and picked up the win by scores of 40-35 x3 to move his record 11-1 (1). 

Richard Medina kept his win streak alive, moved his record to 5-0-1 (1), and his comeback continues to cook as Medina picked up a unanimous decision victory by scores of 40-36 and 39-37x2 and picked up his third straight win since taking a 40-month layoff following 2019.Surging little man David Cardenas of San Antonio continues to come up big!  "El Giro", as he is known, dominated and outclassed Jaime Guevara of Laredo, who fell to 2-3-1 (0). Cardenas dazzled the packed-out crowd with electric footwork and thudding body attack. Cardenas was relentless and stayed before the Laredo native throughout the scheduled six-round affair unleashing lightning-fast combos and slowing Guevara down with thudding body shots. One in particular, landed for Cardenas and froze Guevara, and El Giro turned it up and jumped on his wounded opponent. That was enough, and the corner of Guevara stepped in and stopped the fight, saving the brave combatant from more damage. Cardenas who was accompanied by San Antonio Spurs swingman Keldon Johnson as usual improved his record to 8-0 (6) and took another step forward to what projects to be a world title shot in the near future.  

In the main event of the evening, Uvalde, native, Paul Hernandez lit the crowd on fire in his pro debut. Scoring a first-round knockout in San Antonio back in May. However, Hernandez, who had a huge cheering section, got outworked and outlanded by Brandon Gutierrez, a southpaw from San Antonio who picked up the majority decision to move his record to 3-2 (1). 

Javier "El Indo" Fernandez, the fan favorite from San Antonio, moved his record to 16-0 (7), as he beat up a naturally much bigger man in Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez of El Salvador. The fight was contested at 135 a full weight class or two, larger than what Fernandez naturally competes at. The San Antonio-based fighter dilated more footwork and movement then we are used to. He foot at the back foot as the bigger Rodriguez tried to use his weight to his advantage. Fernendez was able to fight the larger man off, and attacked the body, and scored with slicing and accurate combinations, earning him a majority decision by scores of 60-54, 59-55, and a ridiculous 57-57 card. 

Two undefeated south Texans put their "0" on the lines and let it all go as Fabian "Unknown Warrior" Diaz of Edinburg and is one of the brightest prospects in the Lone Star State, took on Isaac Bermea of Eagle Pass and as the boxing gods would have it, both warriors left with their 0's intact as the two combatants settled for a disputed draw.  By scores of 39-37 Diaz and 38-38, Diaz moved to 6-0-1 and Bermea 4-01. Diaz seemed to outwork and outland his opponent. The quickier twitchier athlete. Diaz landed consistently with the overhand right and scored with sharp, precise counters. However, he was too straight in and out and often got caught with thudding right hands from Berma at long range. One, in particular, scored that seemed to bother Diaz in the fourth and final round and that perhaps earned the man from Eagle pass the Majority draw. 

Also on the card Gutierrez secured a second-round knockdown to bounce back from his first career loss to Laredo native Jiame Jasso back in April and picked up the win by scores of 40-35 x3 to move his record 11-1 (1). 

Richard Medina kept his win streak alive, moved his record to 5-0-1 (1), and his comeback continues to cook as Medina picked up a unanimous decision victory by scores of 40-36 and 39-37x2 and picked up his third straight win since taking a 40-month layoff following 2019.

Texas 6 -Shooters! Six Texans Who Can Take a Huge Step Forward in 20024

Texas has run boxing for quite some time now. The pound-for-pound lists have been littered with Lone Star State natives. The following six fighters could potentially carry that load and be the next era of elite, world-class Texas fighters.

1. David Cardenas- San Antonio. San Antonio has produced a heck of a lot of great little men, and Cardenas could certainly be the next guy. Cardenas turned pro this summer in Mexico and shook off a jittery opening round to score a second round and has dominated every moment of every round since. He scored three consecutive KO's and then dominated Richard Hernandez, a veteran of 14 professional fights in December. Cardenas will be back in the ring in his home city on March 1st. Cardenas has solid pop for the weight, a sky-high ring IQ, and world-class feet. He is also best friends with San Antonio Spurs superstar Keldon Johnson, who can be seen in his entourage at each of his fights. Cardenas won multiple national championships in multiple weight classes as an amateur.

2. Felix Garcia- Laredo "El Gatito" the son of solid professional fighter. Garcia has already accumulated a record of 8-0 (1) and has just turned 18 years old. He turned pro in nearby Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The 18-year-old is being moved quickly and has already fought eight rounders. He has also headlined cards. At just 17, the youngester headlined the Sames Auto Arena in his home city, and scored a unanimous decision over Jose Casiano. The Laredo nativ then followed that up with a points victory over undefeated Joseph Johnson and ended the year by fighting an eight-rounder in Mexico. The single KO in his eight pro fights is not indicative of his power. Garcia is still growing into his weight division (super featherweight), has tremendous agility and moves well is an excellent combination puncher who likes to march forward. Gatito is also fundamentally very sound and defensively responsible for an aggressive, action fighter

3. Joel Martinez- Fort Worth, "The Owl" is a bit of a unicorn, 6'1, southpaw, featherweight with tremendous one-punch power. After watching the hard-hitting Southpaw make his pro debut in November of 2021, I told him his biggest challenge was going to be hetting quality fighters to fight him. While, inactivity has played a part in his development. Martinez has secured four professional fights and expects to be back in the ring in February in Fort Worth. He is trained at FHG, the same gym as Edward Vazquez and John Vera, with coach Ray Berrera. He settled for a draw in July against "Gusto" Sean Brewer, and all things considered, that's not so bad. Outside of that, the consistent jab and massive left hand that the Fort Worthian sports has been unstoppable. He sports a 3-0-1 (2) record.

4 Oscar Perez- Houston, The lone Houstonian on the list, may be the closest to taking that big step forward and fighting on a massive stage. The southpaw lightweight, sports an 8-0-2 (6) record and ended 2023 with KO's of John Herrera and before that scored a second-round TKO of Yesner Talavera in his own backyard. The 24-year-old already has a win over rugged journeyman Clay Burns of Fort Worth. Perez knocked out, KO artist Omar Urieta of Tyler in the second round and went in as the B-Side to fight Anthony Cuba in Los Angeles at the Crypto Arena on the undercard of Andy Ruiz VS Luis Ortiz and settled for a disputed draw in a fight that must observers that he won. A fight with 2023's winner of this award, RGV native Fabian Diaz, would be an intriguing fight and an interesting test for both men.

5. Guillermo Guiterrez- San Antonio, the second Alamo City native, just missed making our list last year and was certainly a part of it this year. The 25-year-old made rapid improvements and should be in line for a big-time fight in 2024. In 2023 his three opponents in 2023 had a combined record of 10-1-5. He beat Jaden Burnias. The lack of power that the Alamo City's native suggests may help Guiterrez out in securing a big-time fight. San Antonio produced two recent world champions in the super flyweight division in recent years with Josh Franco and Bam Rodriguez. Given his skills and combination punching, Guiterrez has a legitimate chance to join them as 115-pound world champions

6-. Travis Crawford- Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has produced some good fighters in recent years: Xavier Nunez, John Rincon, and emerging amateur Julian Delgado, who will make his professional debut shortly, all top that list. 21-year-old lightweight Travis Crawford wasn't supposed to be among them. However, the massive leap he took in 2023, going 5-0 (2) and moving his current win streak to six, combined with his all-action, fan-friendly style, made Crawford, who started his career off at 0-2, become one of the top young fighters to watch. His career started with losses to hard-hitting monster Xavier Bocanegra, who is the prized pupil of legendary hall of fame traineer Ronnie Shields, and then a controversial loss to Joe DeGuardia promoted prospect Ronny Reyes in Reyes's backyard in a fight that Crawford probably deserved the nod. Crawford brings his all-out, fan-friendly stlye back to the ring on January 20th in Tennessee.

The Next Era of Great San Antonio Fighters Shine at Alzafar Shrine

Saturday night in Texas was a loaded night for boxing, and of the four cards, none were more loaded with talent than Saturday's card at the Alzafar Shrine in San Antonio. The Triple-A promoted card featured the next generation of great Alamo City fighters. In the evening's main event, Javy "El Indio" Fernandez took on Fort Worth tough Guy Clay "3rd Degree" Burns in the six-round main event. Burns represented perhaps the most rugged test the unbeaten 20-year-old from San Antonio has ever faced, and he got off to a quick start, scoring a first-round knockdown and securing a 10-8 round courtesy of a right-hand that put a slipping Burns to the canvas, it was officially ruled a knockdown. Early on Fernandez was able to keep the North Texan at range using his jab, as Burns swarmed forward, Fernandez showed off an ability to jab and box off the back foot. Fernandez, typically the come-forward pressure fighter, adopted being the boxer and showed off another dimension. In the fourth round, "El Indio" battered Burns with a barrage of right hands that sent him backward, another clean right hand came in, and Burns started barking at the San Antonio native. The always-game Fort Worthian had moments of his own and scored with a snapping right hand in the fifth that stopped the forward march of Fernandez. Burns had moments throughout most of the six-round affair. However, they were too few and far between as the multifaceted skills of Fernandez carried the night as "El Indio '' by lopsided scores of 60-53 X2 and 59-54, improving his record to 13-0 (6).

In the co-main event, another one of San Antonio's brightest young stars, 3x national champion David "El Giro" Cardenas, absolutely put on a show. The youngster was accompanied to the ring by a massive entourage that featured San Antonio Spurs leading scorer and starting Small Forward Keldon Johnson and two-division world champion Bam Rodriguez. Following such an extravagant ring walk, Cardenas needed to impress, and that's exactly what the 18-year-old did. Fighting a highly unconventional Rodric Cherry, who hails from Oklahoma, Cardenas got to work scoring with a well-placed uppercut on a charging Cherry. He was able to avoid Cherry's unconventional aggression and scoring with the jab that set up right hands. The San Antonian stayed patient and scored with a right hand at the midway point of the opening round. Moments later, a pair of right hands scored flush on the chin of the Okie, who swung widely at "El Giro", who stepped aside avoided the shot, and scored with another right hand that put Cherry on the canvas with about 20 seconds to go in the opening stanza. Cherry again came out ultra-aggressive to start the second, and again Cardenas stayed composed, and Cherry was dropped again with another right hand that left him unable to beat the count. Cardenas improved to 2-0 (2) with a pair of second-round knockouts.

Also on the card was "Pretty Boy" Rick Nunez, a fan-favorite who had an enormous cheering section and who is also the son of famed San Antonio trainer Rick Nunez. The hard-hitting teenage prodigy was instructed by his dad/trainer to focus on the body, and his son obliged. A barrage of body shots that affected an outmatched Ruben Martinez in the opening minute. Nunez began sizing his man up and sharp shooting with the right hand. A right-hand left hook combination staggered Martinez around the midway mark of the first round. The right hand to the body came again and dropped Martinez very late in the opening round. Martine thought long and hard and decided to get up, and the bell rang to end the first. Nunez finished the jib quickly in the second and dropped Martinez with another pair of body shots a right-hand left hook to the body put the outgunned opponent on the floor for a second time, who again beat the count. Like a dog in fear, Nunez attacked, and a pair of right hands upstairs brought in referee Dock Ellis to wave off the fight. Nunez improved to 2-0 (2).

San Antonio's Finest Young Talent on Display this Saturday

The next era of great San Antonio fighters is upon us, and the Saturday night Card at the Alzafar Shrine highlights the elite talent that the Alamo City is pumping out led by fan-favorite pressure fighter Javy Vargas Jr., 12-0 (6), the unbeaten 20-year-old will battle Fort Worth tough guy Caly "3RD Degree" Burns 10-20 (2) in the six-round main event. Burns has a deceiving record and has fought many of the top prospects on their way up, including Hector Tanjara, Devin Haney, and Demler Zamora. Burns will prove to be a good litmus test for the young San Antonian. Despite his 20 losses, Burns has been stopped just once by Jose Valenzuela in 2021.

The card also features a pair of unbeaten prospects with world championship ambitions. 3X National champion David Cardenas, 1-0 (1), who made his debut earlier this month and scored a second-round KO, will return to the ring and battle Rodric Cherry 0-2 in a four-round super flyweight fight. Cardenas plans to fight at the minimum weight class of 105 pounds in the future but to secure fights now and stay active, he will move up and down the weight classes and fight as high as 115 as needed.

Also on the card is the hard-hitting teenage phenom "Pretty Boy" Ricky Nunez, 1-0 (1). He also made his professional debut on August 4th in Mexico alongside Cardenas. Nunez, whose style is much more fitting for the professional ranks, showed off the power in the little 8 oz gloves and no headgear by absolutely annihilating Pedro Abdiel Alatorre, finishing him in just 45 seconds. He will lock up with Ruben Martinez Jr. in a four-round Jr welterweight affair. Martinez was stopped by fellow San Antonio Prospect Daniel Cortez in his last fight. Nunez, is trained by his father, the famed San Antonio-based trainer and owner of South Park Boxing Academy Rick Nunez, who has worked the corner for would-class fighters like Mario Barrios and Omar Juarez.

Also on the card is "The Fighting Ring Card Girl '' Mayra Rodriguez, 1-1 (1), the fan-favorite turned pro in late 2022 and picked up her first career win in March of this year when she stopped Domonique Hernandez in the third round. Rodriguez will battle El Paso native Roxanne Ceasear, who is making her pro debut.

Several high-profile South Texans win professional debuts in Matamoros, Mexico on Friday night.

Opening the show was 17-year-old phenom Ricky Nunez of San Antonio, the son of world Class trainer Rick Nunez who has worked the corner of Omar Juarez and Mario Barrios. Nunez made his debut at 138 and will likely settle in at the lightweight limit of 135, showing off his tremendous power. Just seconds into the fight, Nunez scored with a straight right hand followed by a body shot that hurt his outmatched opponent. Another right hand put Pedro A La Torre on the canvas for the first time just 25 seconds into the fight. La Torre got to his feet, and Nunez got back to work, ripping another violent left hook that put his opponent back on the mat, and this time for good! The youngster from San Antonio made his pro debut, a successful one, just seconds into the opening round, making him 1-0 (1). Nunez is expected back in the ring on August 26th in his hometown.

Next up was Rio Grande Valley native and hard-hitting welterweight Moses Garcia, who patiently stalked Alejandro Espinoza with a stiff jab and backed him up. Garcia did a good job of maintaining the distance he wanted to. He scored with a straight right, followed by a left hook 30 seconds into the contest. The RGV native stayed heavy on the front foot and scored with laser-like right hands. He continued to score with right hands and snuck in some body shots, and it was clear that Espinoza was in way over his head. Just before the end of the first round, Garcia scored with another body shot that backed his man up into the ropes and left him clearly wounded as Garcia began to unleash clean, thudding power shots that were landing at will. Espinoza was unable to answer the bell for the second round, and the bout was waved off. Garcia picked up his first win and first stoppage in his pro debut.

We also got the Pro debut of US National Champion David Crdenas of San Antonio. The highly skilled little man looked a bit like fellow Alamo City little man Bam Rodriguez. Cardenas dazzled his opponent, Jonathan Zamora, with sensational footwork. He started off smart, using his footwork and jab to score at will in the first round. In the second, he had figured things out, slammed on the gas, and started unleashing power shots. Driving Zamora back with right hands and left hooks. It was obvious Cardenas had seized control of the fight. Peppering him with his right hand, Cardenas had his man in a world of trouble and backed into the ropes. Zamora went to a high guard, and the US National champ delivered a perfectly placed left hook to the body that put his man down and out, making Cardenas 1-0 (1).

Brownsville native and multi-time US national champ Sebastian "El Trueno" Juarez, younger brother of jr welterweight contender Omar Juarez, also shines in his pro debut. Working behind a snappy jab, the Brownsville native was able to damage his opponent, Carlos Hernandez, early and often. Just under a minute into the opening round, Juarez scored with a thudding left hook to the body. Juarez stayed behind his pin-point accurate jab in the second until he could deliver the "trueno" and it came in the form of a short left hook to the body that left Hernandez rolling around on the canvas in pain. Hernandez was unable to beat the count. He was also unable to stand up straight for several moments after the count. An absolutely debilitating body shot moved Juarez to 1-0 (1). Juarez will look to make it 2-0 on August 26th in San Antonio.