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.

Two Texans Capture ABF Titles In San Antonio

It's been a roller coaster ride for Laredo native Jaime Jasso in his short but promising career. After starting off 2-0 and looking sensational, he dropped two in a row, two competitive decisions, including a loss on ESPN to "Cash Flow" Floyd Diaz in Las Vegas. The 21-year-old Laredoan relocated to San Antonio, got with a new team, signed with Pound 4 Pound Promotions, and has run off two more victories in a row. Including the biggest one of his young career Saturday night in San Antonio at the Hanger 9. A third-round KO of the year type stoppage of undefeated Timothy Longoria of Palacios to capture ABF Super Flyweight belt. The shorter Jasso was able to overcome a height and reach disadvantage and was sliding in using his jab. He was able to avoid Longoria's return fire. Jasso mixed up head and body shots brilliantly, not just winning rounds but winning the battle and setting his man up for something big. That something big came late in the third round. The end came abruptly. Jasso scored with a wide right hand that dropped Longoria like a building imploding on himself. The referee waved off the bout as soon as Longoria hit the canvas without a count. It was a spectacular ending for Jasso, who moved his record to 4-2 (1). The newly minted ABF title holder is onto bigger and better things. His team would like a showdown with 6-0 (6) Ephraim Bui.

Also on the card was an ABF title fight fighter between 13x National Champ Melissa Holguin of San Antonio and Carmen Vargas of Houston for the vacant ABF Featherweight title. The six-round affair took place mostly in a phone booth. The two combatants traded thudding power shots throughout the extremely competitive and entertaining scrap. Holguin did her best work in the second round, landing thudding body shots and forcing Vargas backward. However, Vargas responded in the middle rounds, working well from the mid-range and keeping the amateur stand-out at bay. She was scoring with a quick jab followed by solid right hands. Vargas was able to stand her ground when the aggressive Holguin worked her way onto the inside. The San Antonian responded nicely in the fifth round with hard body shots that took some steam out of Vargas. Holguin landed with short right hands on the inside that snapped the head back of her opponent the fight appeared to be too close to call going to the final round and the Houstonian got going in those final two minutes. It appeared Holguin was beginning to slow down which allowed Vargas to create the space she needed to land her jab and straight right hands. She was able to keep her swarming opponent off of her. Vargas seemed to get the best of the last stanza. She scored with a short uppercut late in the round that stopped Holguin's momentum. The pair stood toe to toe and traded power shots as the bell sounded to end the fight. The judges favored the mid-range work of Vargas unanimously by scores of 58-56x2 and a much too wide 60-54. In addition to picking up the ABF featherweight strap, Vargas moves to 4-1-1 and Holguin dropped to 3-1.

World Championship Level Boxing Returns to the RGV

The Rio Grande Valley will once again host elite-level boxing. Former Junior Middleweight world champion Austin "No Doubt" Trout will battle local favorite Jose Charles in the main event of an absolutely stacked card that is promoted by Pound 4 Pound Entertainment and will be held at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo and aired on ESPN Knockout.

Trout captured the WBA 154-pound strap back in 2011 when he outpointed Rigoberto Alvarez. From 2011 to 2012, he successfully defended it four times, most notably against Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Trout was able to outbox the Hall of Famer and Puerto Rican legend and pull a massive betting upset in what became fairly one-sided down the end of the fight. In his next fight Trout came to the Lone Star State and came up on the wrong end of a very close and controversial decision with Canelo Alvarez at the Alamodome. Trout, a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, sports a career record of 35-5-1. In addition to Cotto and Alvarez, he has shared the ring with both Charlo Twins, Jarrett Hurd, and Erislandy Lara, He has a win over Delvin Rodriguez and a draw with former US Olympian Terrell Gausha back in 2019. He last fought in July and outpointed Florin Cardos in Germany.

Trout will battle local fan favorite Jose Charles, 20-2-1. Charles last fought in May at the Freeman Coliseum, dominating and outpointing Adam Ealoms of Bryan, Texas. He has won four fights in a row since being narrowly outpointed by touted Spanish prospect Cesar Nunez back in 2017. Charles's best win came in May of 2021 when he outpointed Raul Ortega in Reynosa, Mexico.

The Co-main event features highly touted 140-pound prospect and Rio Grande Valley native Sammy "El Fino Gallo" Castaneda. Castaneda, a hard-hitting prospect, ran off eight consecutive victories to start his career before settling for a disputed draw with Julio Sanchez of Houston in September at the Payne Arena. He looks to settle the score and fix the lone blemish on his track record. Castaneda, a highly regarded prospect, wanted the rematch and was willing to do whatever necessary to get it. He was able to secure the rematch and looks to make things right and get back on track to a world title.

The card will also feature former title holder Oscar Escandon who looks to get back in the world title picture in the featherweight division. Several other south Texas-based fighters will also be showcased in an absolutely stacked and exciting undercard. Quick-fisted and hard-hitting bantamweight Jaime Jasso of Laredo will battle with Roberto Cantu Pena. Fellow Gateway City natives Alex Ramos and Nicholas Molina will also be in intriguing four-round bouts. The card will also feature Rio Grande Valley native and knockout artist Javier Vargas. Vargas scored two knockouts in his two professional bouts. He scored a KO of the Year type of knockout when he fought in the Payne Arena back in September.

Sammy Castaneda Settles for Tough Luck Draw, Other South Texans Shine at Payne Arena

Sammy "El Gallo Fino"  Castaneda of Mercedes returned to the Rio Grande Valley for the first time since his pro debut, which was changed from a TKO victory in 2019 to a NC by the Texas commission.  His other eight pro bouts took place in the Houston area and Matamoros, Mexico. Castaneda entered the ring to the lyrics of "I am coming Home" and received roaring applause from his RGV faithful. Setting the stage for Castaneda to deliver a brilliant performance against Houston native Julio Sanchez. After a careful and fairly even start to the opening round, Castaneda landed the first punch of consequence. A sweeping right hand at the end of the first caught the attention of Sanchez. The second round saw Sanchez trying to get on the inside and Castaneda trying to keep him at bay. A heated exchange in the final seconds of the second stanza saw each man land heavy artillery which set the tone for the remainder of the scrap. The RGV native got cooking in the third. Rocking the Houstonian early in the round and seemed to seize control of the fight for the remainder of the third and fourth rounds. Chants of Sammy, Sammy, spread throughout the Payne Arena. However, Sanchez perhaps seeing the fight slipping away on points, forced his way onto the inside and the two exchanged fireworks in the fifth. Sanchez was valiantly trying to fight his way back into the fight. The final stanza featured back and forth toe to toe action that ended with a big right hand by Castaneda that rang Sanchez's bell as the bell rang to end the sixth and final round. That shot seemed to signify the fight. A good competitive fight that Castaneda got the better of. That was the sentiment at ringside that Castaneda had escaped a tougher than expected contest. However, the judges overruled the ringside consensus, scoring the bout a majority decision draw by scores of 57-57 X2 and 58-56 in favor of the Mercedes native. 

In another absolutely shocking decision, Laredo-based KO artist Nick Molina seemed to dominate Eduardo Guerra of Edinburg in what was likely the fight of the night due to Guerra's cast iron jaw. However, outside of a strong hometown applause from the crowd, Guerra struggled to get much going offensively after the first round. By the fourth and final round, he was a sitting duck for Molina's heavy artillery. Working behind a stiff jab and pinpoint power shots, the Gateway City native couldn't miss and kept rocking Guerra in what appeared to be a one-sided affair. However, the judges did the unthinkable and scored the bout a draw. With one judge scoring for Molina 40-36 and the other two scoring it 38-38. 

Fellow Laredo native "Triple J" faired much better with the judges, showing off incredible hand speed and combination punching. Jasso controlled the distance and beat down a very rugged Juan Alberto Flores. A 21-year-old Jasso looked experienced beyond his years and has seemed to get into his own under new trainer Luey Villareal as he ran off his second consecutive win and moved his record to 4-2 (1).

In the KO of the night, McAllen native Javier Vargas scored a brutal first-round knockout of Houston-based Dominique Wiltz. A picture-perfect left hook from the McAllen native put Wiltz out before he hit the canvas. Wiltz somehow managed to get to his feet just as the referee counted to 10. However, he was in no position to continue fighting and the bout was waived off at 1:11 of the opening round. Making Vargas's pro debut a successful one. Having had just 18 amateur bouts plus coming off of a four-year layoff from boxing, Vargas certainly seems like a fighter who could make some noise if he remains active.

In what was the performance of the night 18-year-old Edinburg native "The Unknown Warrior" Fabian Diaz wowed the crowd. Looking like a young Teofimo Lopez, the explosive power of the RGV native was on display immediately as his outmatched opponent, Jesus Maldonado. Sending him backward and staggering into the ropes just seconds into the fight.  Diaz then unleashed a three-punch-combination that again staggered Maldonado. He spent the next three rounds showing off just how deep his bag is. Landing lead hooks and lead uppercuts. Each shot was precise and on point and snapping back the head of his brave but outclassed opponent. Diaz finished on a strong note. Scoring with a lightning-quick three-punch combination. As he methodically took his man apart over the four-round distance and scored a UD victory by scores 40-36x3. Winning every round on every judge's card.

In other knockouts of note, Hector Aguirre, of Edinburg scored a vicious knockout via a thudding left hook to move his record to 3-0 (1). Plus Alexis "Bamm Bamm" Balderas, of San Juan, ended Keith  Foreman's night with a perfectly placed body shot in the second round to move his record to 2-0-1 (2). 

Jairo Castaneda Scores Impressive UD victory, Picks up ABO strap

On what was a star-studded crowd at the Hangar 9 in San Antonio that featured a room full of world champions, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Austin Trout, and John Michael Johnson. The "Takeover" has begun. The first boxing card by Pound For Pound promotions and Luey Villareal was a ringing success. In the main event, "El Increible" Jairo Castaneda of San Antonio, made it a Texas Two-step for the Castaneda brothers. Younger brother Kendo scored a knockout of the year type knockout last week in Florida, and big brother Jairo scored a dominant 6-round unanimous decision victory over Leonardo Esquivel Carrizales of Brownsville to capture ABO welterweight strap. Castaneda struck first with a picture-perfect left hook around the midpoint of the opening round that caught the attention of Carrizales, "El incredible'  followed up with a left hook downstairs just moments later. The older Castaneda brother stayed aggressive and was heavy on the front foot forcing his opponent backward. Then staggering him with straight right hands was taking their effect as he began to look sluggish. By round three, the Rio Grande Valley native appeared sluggish and was wearing down. Castaneda stayed on the gas, firing off am educated jab and putting thudding right hands behind it, not letting up or slowing down for the remainder of the six-rounder on his way to taking a hard-earned but clear-cut decision by scores of 60-65 and 59-55 X2. It marked the fourth consecutive win for Castaneda, who improved his record to 14-2 (5).  He took nearly three years off following a loss to Reshard Hicks in late 2018. 

In the co-main "Jersey Boy" Glen Tapia, originally from New Jersey and now trains in San Antonio, returned to the ring for the first time since August of 2021 and for just the second time since 2017. In what was an incredibly entertaining five and half minutes of action. Tapia emerged victorious, picking up his second consecutive win in his comeback and moved his record to 25-5 (17).  After an action-packed first round, which saw each fighter throw and land plenty of heavy artillery. The Jersey Boy figured out his opponent, Tyrone Sanders, knockout artist. Tapia rocked the Houstonian with a right hand to start the second, and the onslaught that continued as Tapia stayed on his durable opponent and unleashed a whirlwind of power shots that rocked Sanders and ultimately left him defenseless, causing the referee to call a halt to the bout at the 2:27 mark of the second round.

A loaded undercard also featured highly talented flyweight/super-flyweight prospect Jaime Jasso, Of Laredo, who looked spectacular in his first fight with new head trainer Luey Villarreal. Jasso showed off lightning-quick combinations and put his punches together in spectacular fashion. Jasso landed with precision-like power shots to the head and body that finally put the outmatched Austin Rivas away in the second round. The young Gateway City native ended his two-fight skid in spectacular fashion moving his record to 3-2 (1) and winning his first fight with his new trainer at his new weight of 115. Jasso said he can move down further & can easily make 112 also.

14x national champ Melissa "La Joya'' Holguin, Of San Antonio made her highly anticipated professional debut. After having multiple flights canceled due to opponents opting to pull out instead of fighting the 14x national champion. La Joya boxed beautifully, mixing up head and body shots. After someone of a sloppy start, perhaps due to the nerves of making her pro debut. Holguin got cooking in the second round, hurting her opponent, Kim Colbert of Dallas, to the body several times and ripping beautiful hooks and uppercuts on the inside. Holguinn hurt Colbert several times and appeared to have a chance to get the stoppage late in the third round when she froze her with a left hand to the body and followed up with a barrage of shots on the inside. Colbert was to endure till the final round as the San Antonian won every round on every card in the one-sided beatdown taking her pro debut via unanimous decision by scores of 40-36 x3.

If you have not heard of Carrizo Springs, you are about to. Amateur superstar Carrizo Springs native Juan Garcia also made his much anticipated professional debut and scored a sensational third-round knockout of Michael Land of Dallas to move his record to 1-0 (1). Post-fight super bantamweight prospect "Goyo" Gregory Morales said of Garcia, "He's a monster. He is going to be really good. We were on the Mexican national team together." 

In what was the fight of the night. San Antonios own Trenton Gibson and Vincente Loredo provided violent entertainment for the fans, and for the second time in five months Gibson proved too much Loredo, scoring four total knockdowns on his way to picking up a third-round TKO to move his record to 2-1(1). After seizing control of the fight in the first round with a flash knockdown of Loredo. The two traded heavy artillery in the second, and Loredo momentarily took control of the fight. Hurting Gibson with a right hand and then dropping him. Gibson cleared his head, got to his feet, and scored another knockdown of Loredo, this time with a straight right hand to regain the momentum. He scored two more knockdowns in the third as the referee waved off the bout and secured the victory for Gibson.

Boxing is Back In Laredo!

Laredo, the Gateway City, is quickly becoming one of the hotbeds of Texas boxing. The city that gave the boxing world the legendary Canizales brothers is again producing potential world-level talent at an alarming rate. Jorge Castaneda pulled a major upset over Otha Jones III on a Matchroom Card, Josh Juarez put on a masterclass performance on a Golden Boy card, and Jaime Jasso, started his career with two wins over really impressive highly experienced fighters and then recently dropped a very competitive decision to Floy Diaz, who is perhaps Top Ranks most regarded young prospect. Jasso was brought in to be an outmatched, undefeated opponent that was supposed to make Diaz look good. That was anything but the case as Jasso impressed and fought Diaz tooth and nail for the scheduled four rounds. 

what all these young South Texans have in common is they built themselves up on the Triple-A Promotions Fright Fest series in Laredo. Fight Fest 20 went down in Laredo back in March of 2020. However, due to the pandemic, this series which is producing such incredible talent was put to a temporary halt. It's been a year and a half since the last rendition of the fight series but it returns today (9/11/21) in a major way. On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, the hard-hitting prospects of Laredo, Texas will once again fill out the Sames Auto Arena. 

Undefeated super featherweight Daniel Villarreal will make his Laredo debut and look to move to 5-0.  Nick Molina who is a highly touted Jr Middleweight prospect, will show his fighter's mentality and warrior spirit will take a catchweight fight on extremely short notice and look to move his record to 4-0.  Additionally, Alex "Bazooka" Ramos, younger brother of Jorge Ramos, looks to bounce back from his first career loss, a 6-round slugfest with San Antonio-based prospect Javier Fernandez when he takes on veteran Hector Gutierrez of Mission, Texas. Two other young Gateway city natives will make their professional debuts. 112-pound Jaime Guevara and Super Middleweight Sonny Lique, both look to get their career off to a quick start.