With the year coming to an end, us boxing fans now must look forward to the up coming year for the match ups that are sure to happen. In this, the final In the Squared Circle of the year, I offer the five local (San Diego-Tijuana) fights that I would like to see happen in the next twelve months. Some of them are just wishful thinking of my part while others might happen. They are listed from the heaviest division to the lightest.
Vista, CA’s Danny Perez (34-6, 17KO) vs. Tijuana, MX’s Alejandro “Terra” Garcia (26-5-1, 24KO): In a fight that can very well happen as long as the monetary aspect is there, we find two former elite class warriors ready to rumble. Both fighters are well past their prime but might have enough in the tank to put on one last spectacular fight. More than likely this bout would have to take place in the middleweight division since both fighters have competed at 160 lbs. recently. This fight is of no consequence in the division but seeing these two world class warriors who have seen better days battle it out will be a thrill to local fight fans.
Outcome: I would have to give the edge to Carlsbad’s Perez in this bout since the former two time world champion Garcia of Tijuana has not looked anywhere near championship form in his last 3 out of 4 bouts. Perez does not have any considerable pop in his punches but he would take the win with relentless pressure which is something that Garcia can not deal with anymore since he tends to fight now in spurts.
San Diego, CA’s Ralfy Ramirez (17-4-2, 4KO) vs. San Diego, CA’s Jairo Ramirez (20-4, 7KO): In a bout that would be surprising to say the least if it ever gets made, we find two San Diego fighters who saw their better years earlier this decade. “The Pride of San Diego” Ramirez will always be considered that local fighter that could have achieved much more based on his skill and pedigree while Jairo Ramirez might one of the few that achieved much more that was expected from him. Very tentative talks were whispered last year of these two meeting in a ring but negotations fell through because of undisclosed reasons. Although this face off should have happened six years ago, at this point, it will probably never happen.
Outcome: Depending at what weight this bout would be contracted at, which I would suspect that based on the recent inactivity of both fighters in will be near the 150lbs. range, I would give the edge to Ralfy Ramirez. More often that not when speed versus brawn meet inside the squared circle, speed wins and Ralfy jas the speed.
Tecate, MX’s Antonio Orozco (5-0, 4KO) vs. San Diego, CA’s Angel Estrada (4-0-1, 2KO): Now this is a match up that not only can be made next year but if it is made, will have local fight fans salivating in anticipation. Unfortunately, these two fighters and especially their handlers are in no way risking their perfect records these early in their careers.
Outcome: Even though Estrada took a two year hiatus, he looked exceptionally well in his return bout earlier this year albeit a bit rusty but still I would have to give the edge to Orozco in this battle of jr. weltwerweights because of his power. Estrada is a tough fighter with a strong chin but Orozco carries dynamite in either fists and enough skill to end the fight early.
Tijuana, MX’s Emilio Bojorquez (16-1, 12KO) vs. Chula Vista, CA’s Mercito Gesta (16-0-1, 7KO): If any of the fights on this list should be made, this is the one. A lightweight blockbuster that pits the current hot rivalry of Mexico vs. Philippines, these two fighters jumped on the local radar this year with Gesta fighting twice over the summer in downtown while Bojorquez fighting the same amount of times in Kearny Mesa. With both fighters enjoying somewhat of a following, fight fans can be assured of an exciting night in local boxing.
Outcome: Although Bojorquez carries an excellent amateur record including Baja California and Mexican National titles, power in both fists and an exciting Mexican-brawler style, he is also known to have a questionable chin and even more questionable discipline. Add Gesta’s speed and southpaw stance and the Filipino is an almost lock to win this bout with a unanimous decision if not a late round stoppage.
Chula Vista, CA’s Christopher Martin (16-0-2, 4KO) vs. Tijuana, MX’s David De La Mora (19-0, 13KO): This fight is probably the easiest to make of the bunch since it was already slated for earlier this year at the Pechanga Casino. It was reported that Martin hurt his shoulder and/or arm and had to excuse himself from the match up in which the game Benji Garcia took his place. De La Mora defeated Garcia via unanimous decision. Although Martin campaigns at 122 lbs. and De La Mora at 118 lbs., the contract was signed at a catch weight of 119 lbs. Hopefully their respective teams re-visit the match in the up coming year.
Outcome: Before I witnessed each of these fighters last local fights, I would have leaned for De La Mora to win this one after eight tough rounds but in De La Mora’s last Tijuana bout, he was sent to the canvas by an unknown Luis Valdez while Martin took it to Luis Arcos in one of the best local fights seen in San Diego last November, stopping him in seven rounds. With that said, this brawl has all the makings of being each fighter’s biggest test with Martin having the slight edge over the shorter De La Mora. Martin by split decision.
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