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09/19/2005 Archived Entry: "Bravo Stops Miller, Figueroa Shades Nava in Thrilling 'Viva Mexico' Undercard!"
Bravo Stops Miller, Figueroa Shades Nava in Thrilling 'Viva Mexico' Undercard!
By Jorge Bravo at ringside
Oscar Bravo (left) traps Shannon Miller on the ropes (Josh Walls photo)
Chicago, IL, September 16,2005- Oscar Bravo Feeling confident in his home town of Chi townand feeling the Mexican Pride in the air that night (since it was Mexican Independents Day). Bravo keeping Shannon Miller on the ropes in most of round one and two before dropping Miller notjust once, but twice!
Shannon Miller ( 20-33 8 ko171 lb. ) along with his entourage are the first ones on to the ring, as you hear cheers and boos in the background, you start to hear the Mexican music playingloudly and proudly. Oscar Bravo (22-2-19k175bs) comes out in his red robe with his hands on his trainer shoulder as he is lead to the ring, and so we commence round one.
Round One, Miller is the first one to lunch, but only connecting a breeze over Bravo's head. Bravo comes back with right landing on Miller's cheek. Bravo jabs Miller toward the rope and keeps him there for a while. Miller feeling cornered starts jabbing and hooking at Bravo. Oscar backing away for a few second catching his rhythm again, but in those few seconds Miller gets a hook and a good shot to the body on Bravo. In the last few seconds of round one both boxers landing a jab here and a hook there, but nothing really to knock their opponent off balance.
Bravo (right) stalks Miller (Josh Walls photo)
As both boxers touch gloves in good sportsmanship, round two begins. Bravo with some great footwork connects two hooks and an uppercut. Miller feeling the force behind Oscar's punches, he backs up to the ropes. Oscar looking for the right opportunity to connect, but Miller finding that opportunity on Oscar, gives Bravo two well connected blows to the head. Bravo stepping off to the side with his great foot work seems to be unfazed by Miller's shots. Bravo comes back at Miller, again driving Miller towards the ropes. Miller looking a bit off balance, Bravo gets an open hook to Miller's head bringing Miller down to his knees.
As the crowd in the background cheer on “Bravo,Bravo,Bravo,” Miller gets back up and seems sort of confused, but on his feet. Bravo feeling confident after taking Miller to his knees he comes at Miller with a right,left, right. Miller still holding his own still by the ropes. With the crowd still cheering his name, Bravo again comes at Miller with a left and right knocking Miller on to the ring floor. With Miller's elbows and back facing the floor he shakes his head left to right as the ref waves his arms in the air saying Miller is done.
Oscar Bravo walks around the ring thanking his fans as the ring announcer declares victory for Bravo by the way of knock out with the time of 2 min, 59 sec. The crowd chants, "Bravo, Bravo, Bravo Oscar Bravo!
Rita Figueroa -VS- Brandie Maria Nava:
Both boxers duke it out till the end of round six. The crowd's favorite, Rita Figueroa: not letting her opponent's long arm stretch get the best of her, & the other boxer trying not to let her opposite get inside to do much damage. Both giving boxing fans a fight worth staying for.
Chicago's very own Rita Figueroa (4-0-0, 137lbs) and Little Rock AR's Brandie Maria Nava (1-2-0 139lbs) face off in a six round super lightweight match. Nava keeping Figueroa away with her reach, but Rita finding opportunities to land some good punches on to Nava's face & body.
Rita Figueroa (left) lands a left on Brandie Nava (Josh Walls photo)
In round one, both Figueroa and Nava tap on each other as if they are studying each other on where to hit first. Nava being almost a foot taller comes in with a punch to Rita's forehead. Rita not being bothered by repeated jabs to the head gets inside Nava and gives her a good uppercut to follow with a hook to the face. Both at center ring Nava gives Rita a left hook to the face, still Rita stands in her defense position waiting to get back inside.
Round two, Rita seems to be a bit more confident in her strategy. Rita is able to get through Nava's long reach and connect some punches onto Nava. Figueroa and Nava still showing much energy, round two ends.
In round three, Nava shows her skills other than her jabbing by landing a couple of punches onto Rita's Left temple and right cheek. Rita not liking that too much comes back at Nava with a punch to nose making Nava twitch her nose as she jabs at Rita.
Round four, Nava taking a deep breath before retuning back to the center of the ring and with Figueroa in her defense position they continue with the round. Rita and Nava showing the same strategy as in round two and three. Rita looking for the inside and Nava's jabbing, round four closes.
Round five, Rita's trainer telling her she has to get in side to do some damage. Rita finds a few more opportunities in round five then in previous rounds and takes advantage of them.
Sixth and final round, both showing redness in their face and signs of tiredness they try to find a good punch to connect. As Nava jabs away, Rita is still in that defense position that has helped her in most of the fight. Rita connects by getting through Nava and working that inside angel. As the bell for round six rings both fighter drop their hands to there side. The judges score the bout 60-54 twice and 58-56 for a unanimous decision victory to Rita Figueroa.
Mike and Rita Figueroa pose after the fight (Josh Walls photo)
Rita and her relieved mother pose with Rita's posse (Josh Walls photo)
Bravo (right) swarms Miller on the ropes (Josh Walls photo)
