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01/28/2006 Archived Entry: "Rubio Stops Kodzoev, Escalante Edges Hernandez in Raucous ‘Ring of Fire’ in Cicero!"
Rubio Stops Kodzoev, Escalante Edges Hernandez in Raucous ‘Ring of Fire’ in Cicero!
By Jorge Bravo
With Juan C. Ayllon
Jose Hernandez awaits the decision of the evening's fight of the night (photo courtesy of Jorge Bravo)
CICERO, IL, January 27, 2006 - Dashing, up and coming boxing promoters Oscar De La Hoya and Dominic Pesoli must have been giddy with delight over their coup: In the space of several hours, they put on a sellout show that not only had people turning away at the gate, but--according to a number of fight fans online--easily eclipsed the performance of another major networks' Pay-Per-View event.
In a highly anticipated match before Telefutura's 'Solo Boxeo' television lights and a packed Cicero Stadium, Marco Antonio Rubio stopped Aslanbek Kodzoev following six closely contested rounds.
Following a tense and highly strategic first three rounds, the two middleweights stepped matters up in the fourth. Rubio took the momentum with vicious uppercuts and hooks. However, Kodzoev landed some hard hooks of his own.
Rubio continued to be the aggressor in the sixth and seventh, as the two traded blows. Near the end of the seventh, Kodzoev fell to his knees from what appeared to be a push. According to Jacob Chavez of www.fightnews.com, Kodzoev appeared to sustain a rib injury as his ribcage struck Rubio’s knee when he slipped.
Either way, Kodzoev remained on his stool at the beginning of round eight, resulting in a TKO victory for Rubio at :01 into the round.
With this win, Rubio—who weighed 155—saw his record improve to 33-2-1 and 30 knockouts. Kodzoev, weighing 154 ˝, slipped to 16-2-1 with 11 knockouts.
In the scintillating war of a co-main event, featherweights Antonio Escalante and Jose Andres Hernandez rocked the crowd with a throwback affair, as Escalante won via unanimous decision over 10 rounds.
In the first, Escalante showed very fast hands as he connected well. However, Hernandez banged in some hard left hooks. Suddenly, Hernandez received a low blow, which drew a warning from the ref and boos from the crowd. Hernandez gathered himself up well and the two traded well with hooks and uppercuts.
In a second round typified by hard slugging action, Escalante used superior hand speed to good effect, while Hernandez focused his firepower more to head than body. Paying off, a hard hook to the head dropped Escalante. However, Escalante got right back up and the round ended shortly thereafter.
Round three saw both fighters working the middle trying to get some good shots to the torso. Again, Hernandez received a low blow by Escalante. Following a brief referee’s intervention to gather himself, Hernandez worked the jab to keep Escalante at bay until rounds end. Round # 4
In the fourth, Escalante showcased those very fast hands, connecting with most of his punches. Hernandez stepped up his power game, connecting with some good right hooks to his opponents face.
Hernandez continued to impose his power game on Escalante in the fifth round with powerful hooks. Escalate showed a solid chin in taking the punches. Hernandez took this round.
In the sixth, Hernandez worked the body. At one point, he landed a great shot on Escalates left rib cage. Escalate began holding until the end of the round.
Round seven saw Hernandez right eye start to redden. He seemed to be slowing down, as his punches were not as fast as in the previous two rounds.
In a big eighth round, Escalante knocked down Hernandez with a vicious left to the head. As Hernandez tried to get back in the zone, he was knocked down again. However, he rose to his feet quickly. The round ended shortly thereafter.
Hernandez still seemed a bit dazed at the beginning of round nine. As such, he was knoced down again Escalante. However, he bravely rose to his feet. The round ended with both fighters showing fatigue.
The tenth round proved somewhat anti-climactic, as both fighters essentially jabbed each other until the final bell.
The Judges scored the bout 94 to 93, 95-92, and 94-92 and to the unanimous decision winner, Antonio Escalante.
Antonio Escalante’s record rose to 11-1 and seven knockouts, while Jose Hernandez fell to 19-3 and 13 knockouts.
Commenting after the fight, the Cyber Boxing Zone’s Roberto Aqui said, “Both guys deserve a damn title shot.
”Escalante was a bit faster and threw more punches, and Hernandez picked his shots better and harder and counterpunched at a good rate. Both fighters down, both fighters hurt, neither fighter ever stopped throwing, but Escalante came on a little stronger down the stretch and edged the UD. I personally had Hernandez edging because of his early work, but I hope nothing but the best comes to these guys.
”Could easily be FOY but for the lack of name recognition.”
IBRO Historian Chuck Johnson said, "Tonight, I saw fights on ESPN2, Telefutura, and Telemundo. Yes, the first bout shown on the Telefutura telecast, Escalante-Hernandez, was tremendous. Hope that those two warriors got bonuses."
Popular Chicago fighter Rita Figueroa summed it up this way: “Man - what a fight. Better than the main event! And De La Hoya was there. The place was packed - had to turn people away at the door cause the place was well beyond capacity I am sure. A great night of boxing in Chicago put on by 8 Count and Golden Boy.
”I thought Hernandez did enough to win as well, and could have even had it a draw, but sure was a great fight. I spoke to Jose briefly after the fight, and Dominic and Oscar were very encouraging to him.”
Rita Figueroa with Antonio Escalante (photo courtesy of Rita Figueroa)
Rita Figueroa and Jose Hernandez (photo courtesy of Rita Figueroa)
Antonio Escalante poses with Jorge Bravo's wife as local welterweight Luciano Perez looks on over her right shoulder (photo courtesy of Jorge Bravo)
Oscar De La Hoya poses for a photo with Jorge Bravo's wife (photo courtesy of Jorge Bravo)
Jorge Bravo poses with a young boxing fan (photo courtesy of Jorge Bravo)
The highly successful “Ring of Fire” was co-promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s “Eight Count Productions” and Oscar De La Hoya’s “Golden Boy Promotions.” The main and co-main events were telecast on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo” show.
For exciting action photos from the night, see:
http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/news/archives/00001564.htm
