San Diego boxing fans enjoyed professional boxing alfresco on a beautiful summer night at the Viejas Casino & Resort at the Viejas Concerts in the Park venue on Saturday.
In the main event of the Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions five-fight card, broadcast live around the world on UFC Fight Pass, Ireland’s Connor “The Kid” Coyle (11-0, 4 KOs) scored a swift second round TKO win over Rafael “The Pride of San Diego” Ramirez (21-5-2, 4 KOs) of San Diego. Ramirez is a long-time former sparring partner of retired champion Floyd Mayweather.
Coyle came straight for Ramirez from the opening bell, pressuring Ramirez with jabs followed by a body attack. Coyle’s enthusiasm got the better of him in the first minute, forcing referee Raul Caiz Jr. to deduct a point for pushing.
It made little difference. In the second round, Coyle pinned Ramirez against his own corner, blasting Ramirez repeatedly to the body. Ramirez’ team had enough and threw in the towel to stop the bout at 2:08 of the second round.
“I respect him for getting in the ring, but I knew he was looking for a reason not to go on,” said Coyle. “I know how to break him down, jab and left to the body. It started with a right to the head behind the ear. From that point, I had it.” Sixty family members and friends came to San Diego from the U.S. and Ireland to see Coyle’s exciting if brief victory.
In the super welterweight co-feature, Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (17-0, 13 KOs) of Sonora, Mexico only needed two of the scheduled eight rounds to take out Fabian Lyimo (23-10-2, 15 KOs) of Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. Dominguez devoted himself to delivering left hooks to the body, and one forced Lyimo to take a knee. Referee Eddy Hernandez administered the count and waived off the fight at 2:28 of the round.
Valdes Delivers Unanimous Decision over Martinez
Brandon Valdes (13-0, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles won a unanimous decision over Jesus Martinez (26-9, 13 KOs) of Hollywood, Florida in their eight-round super bantamweight contest. Scores were 80-70, with Martinez docked two points for an intentional headbutt on Valdes in the seventh round. Valdes was the harder, more accurate puncher, but Martinez was determined not to go anywhere and made Valdes work hard for the victory. Valdes is trained by Manny Robles, who also trains Imperial County’s world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz, Jr.
Local favorites Gutierrez, Miranda Deliver Wins
Chula Vista based welterweight Adrian Gutiérrez (8-0-1, 4 KOs) delivered a victory against a determined Mexican opponent, German “Tin Tin” Valdez (4-6-1, 1 KO). Gutierrez is trained by his father, retired professional boxer David Adrian Gutiérrez, who retired after a serious neck injury in 1987 with a record of 17-0-1 including nine knockouts. Gutierrez is now a successful attorney in Chula Vista and part owner of the Bound Boxing Gym in Chula Vista.
In the opening bout, San Diego based super flyweight Dilan “El Rey” Miranda (5-2, 3 KOs) delivered two knockdowns en route to a shutout decision win in four rounds over Ming Freeman (1-4-1, 1 KO) of Los Angeles. Miranda lived up to his reputation for all action fights and put it on display to the delight of his many supporters in the seats.
RJJ Boxing Promotions plans to return to San Diego County as part of its three year live streaming broadcast deal with UFC FIGHT PASS in early 2020.
