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03/05/2008 Archived Entry: "David Torres and Jason Davis Score Impressive"
David Torres and Jason Davis Score Impressive
Win at the Emerald Queen Casino
By Ricardo Ibarra
Photos by Mike Blair
Jason Davis fires the uppercut at Derrick Moon at left and, at right, David Torres lands an uppercut on Logan's head
It was a showcase night for two of the top prospects in the Pacific Northwest this past Saturday, March 1st as Brian Halquist Productions and The Emerald Queen Casino of Tacoma, Washington presented their second show of the year. Tacoma fight fans never leave the Emerald Queen disappointed, and this night was no exception as the packed crowd was treated to a great night of boxing action.
In the main event Jason “Young Guns” Davis (9-1-1 2KOs 142 lbs.) put on an impressive performance, scoring a lopsided ten round unanimous decision over tough and awkward journeyman Derrick Moon (12-17-1 2KOs 141 lbs.). While both fighters began the bout at a slow pace, Davis quickly picked it up late in the second round, snapping his left jab in Moon’s face and following up with precise hooks to the head and body. Moon focused his attack on his opponent’s body, trying to slow the quicker Davis and sap his strength. He had some success midway through the bout as Davis began to show wear from the constant body attack of Moon. The local favorite found his second wind and dominated the remainder of the bout with superior hand speed and accurate counter punching. Davis secured the win by scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 97-93.
The biggest buzz of the night surrounded the long awaited return of one of the northwest’s most promising fighters. After a year long lay-off, undefeated David “El Torito” Torres (19-0 12KOs 139 lbs.) finally stepped back into the ring and scored a third round knockout over Donnell Logan (10-15-2 5KOs 141 lbs.). Torres began the bout at a measured pace, working his way in behind his jab. Although he showed signs of ring rust in the first round, by the second he looked like the same fighter that battered Rob Frankel around the ring for ten rounds last year.
Torres walks away from a fallen Logan
In the third round Torres pressed the fight early, stepping in behind his jab and finding his mark with solid right hands. Logan tried to maintain his distance but his opponent seemed determined to end the bout, swarming him with three and four punch combinations. A jarring right hand wobbled the legs of Logan, and a follow-up one-two put him on the seat of his trunks. Logan would beat the count only to be deposited on the canvass again, courtesy of a Torres right hand. The referee reached the count of ten at 2:55 of the third round. Although the opponent was not in his league, the win was a good one for Torres, considering the time-off. His team plans to keep him busy and move him towards a meaningful fight very soon.
In a four round Welterweight bout, Geoffery Spruiell (6-6 2KOs 144 lbs.), of Pueblo, Colorado, put on a workman-like performance, scoring a unanimous decision win over Pittsburgh, California’s Dario Castillo (4-5 145 lbs.). The long-armed Spruiell used his jab and good lateral movement to keep the shorter Castillo at bay for most of the bout. Castillo fell into the trap of following his opponent around the ring, rather than cutting the ring off. He finally figured his opponent out in the fourth round as he pressed the fight, finding success with hooks to the body, but, by that time he had fallen into a three round deficit. The judges’ tallies read 39-37 all round.
The biggest surprise of the night came in the form of a mild upset as formerly undefeated middleweight Cedrick Armstrong (6-1 2KOs 159 lbs.) found himself on the short end of a close four round decision. Armstrong was having a good first round, working his way inside behind double and triple jabs. His opponent, Fernando Barajas (3-1 160 lbs.), was able to capitalize on flaws in Armstrong’s defense early on, though, catching him with crisp counter punches. As Armstrong stepped in a big counter right hand put him in serious trouble. Barajas followed up with a big left hook, dropping Armstrong for an eight count as the round came to a close. Surprisingly it was Armstrong who pressed the fight in the second round. But, perhaps feeling the need to make up for the knockdown, he pressed wildly, leaving himself open once again for Barajas’ accurate punches. Armstrong fought at a calmer and more controlled pace in the third and fourth rounds, working behind his jab and landing consistently with accurate combinations and avoiding most of his opponent’s retaliatory swings. But, the knockdown in the first round helped Barajas secure the win as the judges scored the fight 38-37, all for Barajas.
Denver, Colorado’s Maurice Louishome (6-0 4KOs 169lbs.) kept his undefeated record intact with a fourth round TKO over Tacoma, Washington’s Richard Langley (5-3 3KOs 174 lbs.). Langley came out strong in the first round, working behind his jab and finding some success with his left hook. Unfortunately for Langley the pace had him visibly tired by the middle of the first round. Louishome took control of the bout with accurate, effective punching. In the fourth round a hard left hook followed by a right dropped Langley for an eight count. The Tacoma native tried to hold on and avoid further punishment, but the relentless Louishome kept the pressure on and forced Langley to take a knee. After the mandatory eight-count Langley tried to move away and survive the round, but a thudding body shot put him down for the third and final time as the referee did not even bother counting. The end came at 2:00 of the fourth round.
Nunez lands a left
In the evening’s opener, Omar Nunez (1-0-1 146 lbs.) of Philomoth, Oregon scored the first win of his young career with a majority decision over Pittsburgh, California’s Daniel Castillo (1-3-1 1KO 144 lbs.). Nunez, who’s been prone to brawl when he does not need to, boxed well throughout the early portion of the bout, using his jab to control the distance. Castillo pressed in the second round, forcing Nunez to fight, giving the crowd a very entertaining back and forth battle as both fighters traded momentum. Nunez used his superior boxing skills to secure the win in the final round. The official judges’ scores read 38-38, 39-37 40-36.
Boxing returns to the Emerald Queen Casino April 12th with an intriguing card featuring David Torres and cruiserweight up and comer Erick Fields. Tickets are available now at the Casino Box office, or at www.ticketmaster.com
