PBC put on back-to-back shows in Bakersfield, California

A back-to-back two-night special on FS1 for Premier Boxing Champions resembled the old school territory pro wrestling days, as young talent was on full display in Bakersfield, California.

On Saturday, Jose Valenzuela trained Jose Benavidez Sr., defeated a game-and-tough Berrio, but the big takeaway was that Valenzuela will still need to refine some aspects of his game when facing the next tier of competition. The fight was neither good nor bad, it was a developmental fight that gives Valenzuela experienced that could prove valuable down the road.

Featherweight Rajon Chance and Elon De Jesus fought to a draw in the first six-round bout for both. The two had fought in the amateurs with Chance winning, but De Jesus dropped Chance, who showed discomfort in the fifth round. The story of the fight sadly was the ref, Jerry Cantu, who had trouble setting a baseline for both fighters to fight by, as De Jesus lost a point in the fourth round. This bout is one I hope they revisit in the ten-round bouts

On Sunday, we had a rather entertaining bout as Maliek Montgomery engaged in a rock’em, sock’em-type of Sunday night bout with Aleem Jumakhonov, that saw him winning a decision and going ten-rounds for the first time. Montgomery, who was a decorated amateur now trains with Ken Porter, and went past four-rounds for the first time as a pro, and Jumakhonov didn’t make it easy. Montgomery had a high-punch output but his temperament wouldn’t allow him to box as he stood in front of Jumakhonov, who was far too willing to take him up on this flaw, and provide an action fight.

In between the eighth and ninth round referee Jack Reiss nearly called a halt to the bout, Jumakhonov then would rock Montgomery at the start of the ninth. A credit to Brandon Krause, and the who Outlaws Boxing program, as Jumakhonov was well prepared.

Omar Juarez rebounded from his first career loss getting an eight-round win over Jairo Lopez. Juarez’s high punch output was on full display in this fight.

Angel Barrientes defeated Victor Torres, of Modesto, California, who is a veteran tough guy, and has the same come-forward pressure style that bothered Barrientes in his lone career professional loss. Barrientes landed at double of his opponent, Torres, and also, marked him up. Barrientes looks to be getting better with each fight.

Mikey Garcia Will Fight In Fresno – October 16th

More than likely a future hall-of-famer as four-division, and five-time world champion Mikey Garcia, will step in the ring for the first time in 2021 as he faces Sandor Martin, in a 12-round main event on Saturday, October 16th, taking place at Chukchansi Park, Fresno, California, at the home of the Fresno Grizzlies, which is the Low-A West and the Low-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Tickets go on sale, tomorrow on Tickets.com, with tickets starting at just $40 and if you reach out directly to Rick Mirigian (Instagram.com/Promoter559) you can talk about packages for on-field VIP tables for 8, suites for 12, front row tickets, and one special set up for a group of up to 50.

These prices are being touted at $1,000 for tables, $2,000 suites and are going very quick, so to get in on those exclusive deal contact, the Instagram listed above.

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring and give my fans another night to remember,” said Garcia. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on October 16 in Fresno – it’s going to be a great night of boxing.”

Mikey Garcia had tens of thousands of people at his last couple of fights in Texas, including a pay-per-view bout with Errol Spence Jr., and now will be coming to Fresno, California, in a historic night of action. Garcia last drew 50,000 people to his fight in Texas and sold out the Staples Center in his return to Los Angeles, California, years prior.

Martin is rather unnotable with his only truly world-class fight being against Anthony Yigit who beat him in a competitive bout. Martin has mostly fought in Spain, and will be fighting in America for the first time.

The undercard will feature two World Light-Flyweight title fights as WBO world champion Elwin Soto puts his belt on the line against Jonathan Gonzalez and WBA champion Esteban Bermudez defends his strap against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, the brother of Joshua Franco, and a pound-for-pound-type talent.

Heavyweight Bakole Stops Opponent In One Round

Martin Bakole picked up a first-round knockout in Dubai and now seems poised for a big fight. Bakole, who has a lone stoppage loss to Michael Hunter, is an oversized heavyweight, who is physically strong and has a lot of the same traits Dillian Whyte has, power and size. Bakole should be a world title eliminator next, with the logical choice being against Filip Hrgovic, who fought last week, but a bout against 2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist, Tony Yoka, would be good as well.

Jesse Hart Returns With Win

In his first bout since fighting for Top Rank Inc, two-time world title challenger Jesse Hart had the Philadelphia homecoming he had always wanted by picking up a hard-fought victory over Mike Guy, a tough Northern California, who is honest work for any high-level fight at the 2300 Arena.

The show was promoted by RDR Promotions, and as it was a busy week for Rodney Rice, who had Nahir Albright fighting on Tuesday, and this card occurring on Friday.

Hart had been out of the ring for 20-months after his loss to Joe Smith Jr.

The Return Of Hollywood Fight Night In Montebello, Ca

Ukrainian super welterweight Serhii “El Flaco” Bohachuk stopped Raphael “Trouble” Igbokwe on Thursday’s “Hollywood Fight Nights” main event at Quiet Cannon Event Center in Montebello, California, with a sixth-round KO. This was Bohachuk’s first bout back since his loss to Brandon Adams.

In the co-main event, Kazakhstan super middleweight Ali Akhmedov stopped David “La Pantera” Zegarra in three rounds. Akhmedov lost to Carlos Gongora in his last bout.

Super featherweight Adrian Corona knocked out Daniel “Big Dawg” Robles in the first round of their bout. Corona is the son of Ray Corona, a boxing referee in the state of California.