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02/18/2007 Archived Entry: "Segura Pummels Martinez in the 5th!"
Segura Pummels Martinez in the 5th!
Alvarado wins close decision over Molina
By Rich Lopez at ringside
Photos by Jorge Bravo
Segura celebrates his win
CICERO, Ill. –DESPITE the very cold weather here in the Windy City, there was a very good turn out at the Cicero Stadium, where the action was hot.
In the main event for the NABF Light Flyweight Title, hot rising prospect Giovanni Segura, 108 lbs, (16-0-1, 12 KO’s) made his first defense of the title with a TKO stoppage of Jesus “ La Changa” Martinez, 107 1/2 lbs, (17-4,11 KO’s) in the fifth round. Segura, 24, who last fought to a 12 round decision to tough Colombian Carlos Tamara three months ago, had his way against Martinez, 31. Martinez, who had two previous losses to current world champions Ulises Solis and Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, didn’t have much to offer. This was a good showcase for Segura as he would have his way with Martinez.
The first round was a feeling out round, where the long armed Segura was being the aggressor of the two. Martinez for the most part was backed up against the ropes waiting for one shot at a time. Segura just continued to apply the pressure and finally unloaded with some body shots at the end of the round.
In round two, Martinez started out the round with some head shots but only to be blocked by Segura. This would be the best that Martinez would have to offer the rest of the fight as Segura would just pound away to the body. While Martinez was throwing one punch at a time, Segura was punching from all different angles.
Round three was more the same with Segura working the body. But this time Segura was throwing head shots too. Martinez also seemed puzzled as Segura would constantly change from his orthodox stance to southpaw stance and give Martinez angles. Round four was looking the worst for Martinez, as he looked tired from the body shots of Segura. Mid-way through the round Martinez landed a nice right hand with Segura coming in, but one shot was not enough as Segura was showing no signs of slowing down.
The 5th round was the beginning of the end for Martinez as Segura worked away to the body and head with thunderous punches. Martinez showed nothing and wasn’t fighting back anymore. It was only a matter of time before referee John O’Brien called a halt to the fight at 2:41 with a TKO victory awarded to Segura.
Segura is now (17-0-1, 13 KO’s) and looks to the future for a potential title shot, while Martinez falls to (17-5, 11 KO’s) losing 5 of his last 7 fights.
Mike Alvarado prevails in a tough scrap
The co-feature of the night in the Welterweight division showcased another rising prospect from Denver, Colorado. Mike Alvarado, 143 (15-0,10 KO’s) continued his unbeaten streak in a close fight but well deserved majority decision against Carlos Molina, 143 (8-3-1, 4 KO’s). Alvarado, 26, managed by Shelly Finkel, was taking a little bit of a step up to face Molina, 23.
Molina is a native of Michoacan who is most known for his draw and loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Most ring experts and observers felt that Molina won the first bout with Chavez Jr., while their second encounter was a much closer fight.
This was a fast paced bout that showed good exchanges and much excitement for 8 furious rounds.
The first round was a good start for Alvarado as he applied the pressure and worked the jab effectively. Alvarado also went to the body which backed up Molina against the ropes where Molina seemed to be hopeless. Molina would have his moments in the middle of the ring.
Molina would bounce back in the second and land some nice counter punches and started to pump the jab to keep Alvarado in the center of the ring. Alvarado still was coming forward. In the third round, Alvarado really poured it on going downstairs to the body and upstairs to the head. These were very hard shots, but Molina was gained and tough, but it seemed that Molina was tired from all the body shots.
The fourth round was another good one for Alvarado, who pumped the jab more effective and worked inside very well. Molina was waiting too long to land one shot to perhaps catch Alvarado coming in. But in the meantime, Alvarado was piling the points. The fifth round was more of the same, with Alvarado working the body and applying the pressure. However, Molina would have his moments countering with some hard right hands.
In the sixth round, there was little action from both fighters, but towards the end of the round both fighters exchanged hook shots which got a loud cheer from the crowd at the end of the round. Round seven was the best round of the fight where Alvarado took the first part of the round with great combinations and Molina coming back hard with straight right hands to the head and to the body. Molina showed that he was there to stay and showed his toughness. He even hit his gloves together and taunted Alvarado to give him more.
Coming to the final round, Alvarado stayed more far busy then Molina, but it was obvious they were both tired from the previous round. Both men finished with good exchanges again to end the fight. After an exciting fight, the decision was awarded to Mike Alvarado by majority decision. The scores were as followed: Judge Mauro DiFiore had it 77-75 for Alvarado, judge Ted Gimza had it 77-75 for Alvarado, and judge B had it 76-76 even.
In another exciting fight in the Junior Welterweight division, Jose Manuel Ortega, 143 (8-1, 4 KO’s) out of Chicago scored a tough unanimous decision over Braulio “Little Rocky” Lopez, 143 (3-4-1, 1 KO).
Lopez would have a huge round in the first as he opened up really quick on Ortega with blistering shots to the head. Ortega who seemed startled was bleeding from the nose and was busted up in the face. This was a shaky and scary round for Ortega. Only things would shift gear as Ortega was able to put himself back into the fight and come back just a little in the second round which then turned into a slugfest.
From rounds three through five, Ortega was far more accurate with his punches and Lopez got tired as he punched himself out in rounds one and two. Ortega stayed on his opponent with constant pressure and Lopez was too tired. In round six, Ortega finished strong and landed some good body shots that were hurting Lopez. There was a borderline punch in there as well, that resulted in Lopez calling for a break. Lopez said he was hit low and was looking to buy time. Also by that result his mouthpiece came out as well. The fight resumed but it didn’t matter as Ortega stayed busy to win a unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 58-56 for Ortega.
Under card bouts:
Cloud (left) stalks Norwood
In Light Heavyweight action, undefeated Tavoris Cloud, 176 (13-0, 12 KO’s) scored an impressive 2nd round KO against Aaron Norwood, 176 ½ (22-7-2, 11 KO’s). This is by far Cloud’s toughest opponent, but he made short work of Norwood with nice straight shots and ended the fight with a vicious uppercut.
Cloud looked very solid as he took his time, worked the jab very well, and executed his game plan. Referee Gerald Scott called a halt at 2:03 in the 2nd round. Cloud looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
The knockout of the night belonged to local prospect Donovan George, 167 (11-0-1, 9 KO’s) who just signed with Top Rank, scored a TKO in the first round of Kendall Gould, 168 (8-10-1, 5 KO’s). George full of energy for the fight, nicknamed “Da Bomb”, indeed landed a bomb with his right hand on Gould that literally lifted him up and sent him back against the ropes. Gould would get up signaling to his corner that he was alright, but George went for the attack again with a flurry, until the ref stopped the fight at 1:00 in the first round. Wow!
In a four-rounder Welterweight bout, Ivan Popoca, 24, made his pro debut in against Scott Robinson who had a record of (3-6-1, 2 KO’s). Popoca wasted no time pouring on the attack and landed great body shots to put Robinson out for the count in the first round with a time of 1:25.
In Heavyweight action, Carl Davis (8-2, 7 KO’s) faced off against Innocent Otukwu (11-10, 2 KO’s) in another quick fight. Davis scored two knockdowns using the jab well and finished off Otukwu with a right cross. Otukwu didn’t want to continue after the second knockdown. Time was 1:31 in the first round.
The last fight of the night also ended in the first round with two knockdowns. In middleweight action, James “Crowd Pleaser” Countryman (8-1, 6 KO’s) scored two knockdowns en route to a 1st round TKO at 1:42 against Gary Culp (7-4, 6KO’s). Country got his man out with body work; which seemed to be the theme of the night.
This event was brought to you by 8 Count Productions and Top Rank. This event was also televised by Solo Boxeo.
Chicago fighters, from left to right: "Macho" Miguel Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, David Diaz, Kendall Gill, Rudy Cisneros, Tom Zbikowski and Freddy Cuevas
