By: Cestus Press – On August 29, 2008, at the Laredo Civic Center in Laredo, Texas, a sold-out crowd of over three thousand hard-core, ravenous boxing fans were treated to a great night of boxing as Recon Garza Promotions, in association with Los Dos Laredos Boxing Productions and Cestus Management put on the “Friday Nite Rumble”. The fight card featured several action packed jaw dropping knockouts, but one bout stood out the most as a star was born..
The Mexico fighting family tradition continued when Rodolfo “Cobrita” Gomez (146 ½ pounds) stepped into the ring and faced veteran Jose Reyes (146 pounds) from San Antonio, Texas. “Cobrita” has the benefit of being managed by worldwide management powerhouse Cestus Management. Gomez’ manger Gina Iacovou, and Advisor Mike Michael flew all the way from New Jersey to personally support their first Latino signing’s pro debut.
As Gomez made his way into the ring with his father/corner man, former lightweight title contender Rodolfo “Cobra” Gomez and head trainer/uncle Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez (former welterweight title contender); the local’s deafening cheers filled the Laredo Civic Center. As soon as that opening bell rang, Gomez (6’3”) immediately turned his full attention to the business at hand and began to work his amazing eighty (80″) inche reach in the form of a hard, stiff left jab which quickly reddened the face of Reyes and constantly popped his head back. Reyes, understanding that he had a large height and reach deficiency, began to charge in with his head in an attempt to rattle the “Baby Cobra”.
This tactic proved ineffective as Gomez timed the rushes with one-two combinations and used lateral movement to step around his opponent. Towards the middle of the first round, Gomez, with the composure of a veteran and ice in his vain, brutally ended the bout when he followed up a jab, right hand, left hook to the head combination with a perfectly placed left shot to the liver which made Reyes drop like a man who had been shot.
Reyes beat the count but was immediately struck by the “Baby Cobra” and his venomous shots were just too much. It was a great win for the 6’ 3”, nineteen-year-old Gomez as the hometown fans went absolutely wild. This marked the start of the new fight Gomez generation. It appears that Cestus Management, who is world renowned for being able to spot talent, has yet again struck gold with “La Cobrita”.
Mike Michael, Cestus Management’s chief advisor, said of the Friday Nite Rumble, “I told you to lock the doors and run for cover as tonight, Laredo boxing fans witnessed the discovery of a new star. They now have a rising sensation in Rodolfo “Cobrita” Gomez to be excited about.” Michael continued, “I found the local fans to be very knowledgeable about the fight game and know that they realized that with “Cobrita’s” talent, Manuel’s (Gomez) training ability and Cestus Management’s influence in the sport, it is only a matter of time before Rodolfo (Gomez) becomes a huge star in boxing. Make sure you stay tuned as Rodolfo “Cobrita” Gomez will be back in action in Laredo in December to give the fans another electrifying performance.”
Gina Iacovou, “Cobrita’s” manager, said, “It was truly a great feeling to be ringside at the beginning of the new fighting Gomez generation. I really feel that this is the beginning of something special as Cobrita looked sensational under the tutelage of his uncle Manuel (“Shotgun”) Gomez.” Iacovou added, “Rodolfo is such a natural talent and is humongous at 6’ 3” for 147 pounds. With his fighting bloodline, physical attributes, and Cestus’ Managements resources, we’re confident that Laredo will be the home of another world champion!”
STAR BOXING’S YOUNG STAR RAYMOND SERRANO ANNIHILATES OPPONENT IN VERY FIRST ROUND
BRONX, NY – Aug 31, 2008 .Raymond Serrano (7-0, 5KO’s), Star Boxing’s 19 year old welterweight phenomenon, scored a first round knockout over veteran Jimmy LeBlanc (11-15-4, 3KO’s) Friday night at the New Alhambra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serrano came out very aggressive and started landing big shots against his opponent. Serrano seemed to be on a completely different level then the much more experienced LeBlanc as he continuously teed off on his opponent with huge over hand rights. Serrano dropped his opponent three times before the referee called a halt to the contest at 2:37 of the very first round. “I felt great coming in,” said Serrano. He was looking to box so I knew right away I was going to have to put a lot of pressure on him. I knew after I hit him with the first big right hand that it would only be a matter of time before I stopped him. It was great fighting here in Philadelphia, and I want to thank everyone who came out to see me tonight. I am going to enjoy the holiday weekend and then I will be back in the gym on Wednesday. I am looking to fight hopefully at the end of September maybe early October, whatever my promoter Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing put together for me I will be ready to go.” Serrano improves his record to 7-0, 5KO’s.
Napunyi Beats Hamis, Kimori Destroys Kitasi, Wanyama Upsets Kamau!
Results From Nairobi, Kenya
By Geoffrey Mpenda @ Ringside.
1.9.2008: Sparks Pro-Boxing Promotions staged another action-packed show on Saturday August 30 at Charter Hall in Nairobi, Kenya, dubbed “The Battle Royal”. No titles were at stake, but well-matched bouts made for good entertainment for the punters at ringside.
In the eight-round main event, featherweight Anthony Napunyi did a good job out-boxing Tanzanian Hamis Ajali. The visitor did occasionally have his moments, but it was the local man who usually came out of the exchanges on top. After the final bell, Napunyi was given a deserved unanimous decision and took his sixth straight victory to improve to 13-4 (6). Ajali is now 2-1-1, and showed some promise by going eight rounds in only his fourth professional bout.
At welterweight, undefeated “Jesse James” Kimori continued his progress with a very impressive destruction of former Kenyan champion James Kitasi. Kitasi is known as a durable and competent veteran, but Kimori completely overwhelmed him from the start and scored two knockdowns in the second with well-placed body shots before forcing the stoppage in round three when he landed a right hand to the head of Kitasi. The referee declared Kimori a winner by technical knockout, and he is now 10-0 (6) while Kitasi is stopped for the first time in his career and dropped to 9-10-1 (1).
In a major upset, debutant lightweight Vitalis Wanyama out-pointed previously undefeated knockout artist Samwel “Snake” Kamau after four rounds. Kamau, having stopped all his previous eight professional opponents, seemed unable to properly pull the trigger on Wanyama, who smartly avoided the favourites aggressive attempts and landed his counterpunches effectively to grab a split decision (40-38, 39-38, 38-39). Kamau is now 8-1 (8), and Wanyama gets a magnificent start in the paid ranks with a very impressive victory.
Other results from the card:
Heavyweight: Adhiri Idris W4 Samson John Ataro.
Female, Featherweights: Everly Adero W6 Jane Kavulani.
Female, Featherweights: Carol Orenja (debutant) TKO 3 Benedetta Kaloki.
Lightweight: Ibrahim Odhiambo W4 Kevin Odhiambo.