Championship Boxing Returns to Laredo

Laredo is quickly emerging as one of the great fight cities in the country, and big-time boxing will return to the Gateway City on April 20th. The Sames Auto Arena will host several title fights including, Laredo's own Felix "Gatito" Garcia, 8-0 (1), who puts his undefeated record against McAllen native Hugo Castaneda, 13-1-1 (9), for the vacant WBC Youth Super featherweight title. Castaneda, who previously captured the WBO super featherweight title by stopping Maykol Mendoza late in 2022, will take a massive step in competition for Garcia. The Laredo native, who just turned 18 and has been a pro for two years, is one of the brightest young prospects anywhere in the sport.

The card also features an all-action, can't miss, fan-friendly slugfest between hometown favorite Alex "Bazooka" Ramos 7-1 (3), who is riding a five-fight win streak since his lone career loss to undefeated prospect Javier Fernandez in 2021. He will battle emerging prospect Travis Crawford from nearby Corpus Christi, Crawford 6-2 (2). Crawford got off to a 0-2 start in his career, dropping contests to a pair of highly touted prospects in Xavier Bocanegra of Donna, Texas, and Ronny Reyes. He has blown away everyone in his path since, winning six fights in a row. Both the Texas state title and the WBC Youth lightweight title will be on the line.

All-world prospect Daniel Blancas will also be in action, the 8-0 (4), all-world prospect who is projected to be a future world champion will take on hard-hitting Mexican KO artist Bruno Pola, 7-2-1 (6), who looks to bounce back from his loss to Fort Worth-based prospect Malik Calhoun both the ABF and WBC Youth titles are at stake.

Two other bouts of note that will be held on this exciting Pound 4 Pound card. In a showdown between undefeated featherweights for an ABF strap, Carrizo Springs native Juan Garcia, 4-0(2), will take on Gary Hampton, 5-0 (0) of Fort Worth. Hampton has beaten undefeated fighters in each of his last two fights. Plus Laredo native Jaime Jasso, 4-2 (0), will look to revenge his 2021 loss to San Antonio native Guillermo Gutierrez, 10-0 (1), in a very close and competitive fight. Both fighters have shown vast improvements over the last 2+ years, and this one promises to be as competitive and exciting as the first fight.

Joel Martinez Shines in Epic Night for Fort Worth Boxing and FHG Gym

6ft tall southpaw Featherweight Joel "The Owl" Martinez of Fort Worth said before Saturday's fight at the Southern Junction in Irving that he has been inactive lately due to no one wanting to fight. Apparently, no one wants to fight the freakishly tall and long southpaw with incredible one-punch power. If Martinez found it hard to find a willing opponent before Saturday night, he did himself no favors in destroying unbeaten Xzavier Jackson. After a quick start in the opening round, a beautiful straight left from the long rangey southpaw put Jackson on the canvas to the surprise of most in attendance and to "The Owl" who said, " I am surprised he got up." Martinez got backed to work and swarmed a wounded Jackson, who was somehow able to survive the round. However, in the third round, Martinez unleashed violent shots from the opening bell and put the finishing touches on his opponent. This time a body shot put Jackson down and out early in the third. Securing Martinez his second professional win in two official bouts. "I kept my composure the whole time. I took my time, I fought my fight." Martinez said of his performance. It was also the third win for the guys from FHG gym in Fort Worth. Gary Hampton Jr ran his record to a perfect 3-0 with a one-sided unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Rensley Washington of Cincinnati by scores of 40-36x2 and one score of 39-37. In the evening's opening bout, Desmon White put on a master-class performance and dominated Devon Jones of Tyler. Scoring a unanimous decision to move his record to 1-0-1.

Fort Worth-based amateur standout and Regional and State Champ Sammy "Cobra" Brown made his highly anticipated professional debut, a successful one in scoring a unanimous decision victory over a rugged and determined Austin Dulworth of Dallas. Brown got going with a big right hand that hurt Dulworth just a minute into the fight. A punch Brown would have success with throughout the fight. A punch that seemingly hurt Dulworth every time it landed. Brown found the mark with that shot again a minute into the second round and then would again double up with it later in the round. The Cobra also sported excellent movement and was able to avoid much of his opponent's artillery. Brown continued outboxing and outworking his opponent, building a lead on the cards. With the fourth and final round still in doubt, the Fort Worthian saved his best for last and put together his best rally of the night late in the final stanza. Brown scored with a body shot that slowed Dulworth down and then scored with a big right hand that snapped his head back and put a left hook behind it for good measure. The cobra would strike again with two more big right hands just before the bell sounded to end the fight. Putting an exclamation point on his pro debut and sealing the victory. All the judges scored it in favor of Brown 39-37. Brown fought this fight at 168 pounds, but plans on moving down to 154 in the future, He said he potentially could go as low as 147. Post-fight, a victorious Brown said, "It felt good... All the hard work finally paid off." Sporting the nickname Cobra carries a lot of weight in Fort Worth. It's the nickname of the legendary hall of Famer Donald Curry. While Brown has a long way to go to get to the level, he got his career off to a great start Saturday night in Irving.

In the main event, Dallas native Edgar Ramires improved his record to 6-1 (4) in pulling the upset over Rashad Coulter. Ramirez was able to overcome Coulter's reach advantage and was able to get on the inside and fire heavy artillery while in there. Outworking and outlanding Coulter. Ramirez was able to slide onto the inside and land the cleaner blows, and it was clearly breaking his opponent down. Ramirez carried the middle rounds for him. Fighting off the ropes in the sixth round, Ramirez put together one last brilliant rally that secured the upset for him as he rolled to the unanimous decision victory. A combination resulted in a cut above the eye of Vargas in the third as Foster was in complete control.