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05/20/2006 Archived Entry: "Diaz, Tokarev, Prevail at Tribal Pride!"
Diaz, Tokarev, Prevail at Tribal Pride!
Story and photo by Laz Izada
Courtesy of InsideBoxing.com
Vadim Tokarev (center) poses with the Ibragimov cousins after his victory
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., May 18, 2006 - Approximately 2,000 anxious boxing fans, who had not seen live boxing at the Seminole Hard Rock Arena since ESPN 2 was in the house for the Miranda – Eastman match up that took place on March 24, where witnessing boxing history, as two American Indian Nations, the Sycuan Nation of California, Sycuan Ringside Promotions and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Warriors Boxing Promotions, where co- promoting tonight’s boxing card.
The main event featured Julio “Kidd” Diaz, 33-3(24KO’s), from Coachella, Ca, versus hometown favorite Ricky “Showtime” Quiles , 39-7-3 (8KO’s), from Davie, Fl for the IBF lightweight Interim Title. Quiles had the home field advantage as his last 7 bouts where at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL, defeating Edner Cherry in the process. Diaz was coming in from a tough lost to Jose Luis Castillo last year. An entourage of about 50 Diaz family and friends flew in from California to cheer him on.
The fight went the 12 round distance with no knockdowns. In his first title match, Quiles, 36, was back pedaling and trying to hit and run from Diaz throughout the bout. He displayed an awkward southpaw style of punching, backpedaling, and ducking Diaz’s punches.
Diaz was the aggressor and easily won the fight by scores of 120-108,118-110,119-109 by connecting more. Diaz won the crowd over by his performance and demeanor, as Quiles displayed an over confident, arrogant style of boxing. Diaz, 26, has a bright future ahead of him as he is once again a world champion.
The co –main event was everything it was billed to be. It was the most exciting fight of the night. Warrior’s Boxing matchmaker M. Chico Rivas pitted Felix “Bad News” Cora Jr., 18-1-2(9KO’s) from Galveston, TX defending his NABF Cruiserweight Title against Vadim Tokarev 22-0-1(14KO’s) who was making his first appearance in the states by way of Kazan,Russia. What made this fight so intriguing was because it was a fairly even match up. Cora was rated 10th by the WBC and IBF, while Tokarev was ranked 11, 12, and 13 by the WBA, WBO, and the WBC.
In the first 3 rounds they were feeling each other out, but in the 4th round fans at the Hard Rock witnessed one of the best rounds ever at the venue. Tokarev had Cora down early in the 4th round by connecting with a right hand counter. Then Cora rocked Tokarev with a right uppercut and a left hook, and then Tokarev landed the punch of the night a very hard quick right that snapped Cora’s head back and dazed him for a second and hit him again, prompting referee James Warring to stop the bout at 2:52 of the 4th round.
After the bout both fighters congratulated each other and Cora mentioned that they should do it again, have a rematch. The crowd strongly agreed.
Afterwards, Tokarev celebrated and posed with fellow Russian heavyweight cousins Timor Ibragimov --who will take on Calvin Brock on June 24th--and Sultan Ibragimov, who will face Ray Austin late this summer.
The next matchup at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL will be on June 30th. Juan Urango will be going against Nauoufel Ben Rabah for the IBF Junior Welterweight Title.
