LOS ANGELES (Dec. 4, 2015) – A sold-out LA FIGHT CLUB had all the fans cheering on some of their favorite fighters tonight at the Belasco Theater with the headlining debut of undefeated power-puncher, Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (11-0, 10 KOs). Also in attendance enjoying the night’s festivities was Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, newly crowned WBC Silver Featherweight Champion, Ronny Rios, and Golden Boy Promotions fighters, Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez, Roy “Pit Bull” Tapia, Jesus Soto Karass, and Johnathan Navarro. Noe Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox and actor and comedian Johnny Skourtis were also in attendance cheering on some of Los Angeles’ most talented up-and-coming fighters.
Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (12-0, 11 KOs) thrilled in an exciting eight-round super featherweight main event fight against the tough Alejandro Ochoa (7-10-2, 1 KOs) of Bell Gardens, Calif. The two fighters clashed in the center of the ring, exchanging combinations from the opening bell. Gonzalez was able to land hard shots that stunned Ochoa in the first round, but the brave Ochoa recovered and landed some hard shots of his own. Midway through the second round, Gonzalez caught Ochoa with a clean uppercut that sent Ochoa to the canvas. Ochoa was able to meet the count and tried to finish the round, but after several shots from Gonzalez, the referee stepped in to end the fight. “Chimpa” continues his knockout streak with a second-round technical knockout victory.
“ I had been training hard and focusing on landing shots like that uppercut that put him down. I knew the body shots I landed early in the fight had a lot of effect and I saw him breathing out of his mouth. The body shots set up my uppercut,” said Gonzalez.
“I prepared for this fight as I would any other fight despite his reputation for having a lot of power. I don’t think his punches bothered me as much as the referee thought and I would have liked to continue, but I will learn from my mistakes and keep improving,” said Ochoa.
In the co-main event of the evening, Rosemead, Calif. transplant Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (12-0, 5 KOs) met Ernesto Guerrero (17-17, 1 KOs) of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico in an eight-round super bantamweight fight live on Estrella TV. Negrete controlled the action throughout the fight, landing quick combinations and displaying excellent speed. Negrete landed a hard body shot in the third round that sent Guerrero to the canvas. Guerrero answered the count but looked very hurt by the body shot prompting the referee to call a halt to the bout awarding Negrete a third-round technical knockout.
“I had been studying for another opponent but due to a last minute change, I had to come in and figure out a whole new opponent. My trainer deserves a lot of credit because we prepared for another fighter but we were still able to come up with a plan and execute it. It’s great to end 2015 on such a high note and I can’t wait to start 2016 with the same momentum,” said Negrete.
Opening the live broadcast on Estrella TV, Ivan “Striker” Delgado (8-0-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles took on Luis “Lichito” Lizarraga Jr. (5-7-1, 2 KOs) of Meridad, Yucatan, Mexico in a six-round lightweight bout. “Striker” Delgado came out sharp landing crisp, hard combinations to the head and body of Lizarraga Jr. Throughout the fight, Delgado was able to consistently land his left hook and right hand to the head of Lizarraga Jr. Despite a valiant effort from Lizarraga Jr., Delgado dominated the action and was awarded a unanimous decision victory.
“I wanted to show fans that I can box and I can counterpunch as well. I have been training hard and am looking forward to starting 2016 off strong after this victory,” said Delgado.
Nick Arce (6-0, 6 KOs) of Los Angeles kept his undefeated record intact in a scheduled six-round super featherweight bout against Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico’s Ali Gonzalez (6-7-1, 1 KOs). Cheered on by his legion of fans from LA’s Westside Boxing Gym, Arce caught Gonzalez with a right hand to the chin early on in the first round, dropping him to the canvas. Gonzalez met the count and was able to survive the round. The second round was a tactical affair with both men circling and looking for openings. After suffering an injury in a clinch with Arce, Gonzalez dropped to the canvas and was unable to continue, giving Arce a win by second round technical knockout.
“I wasn’t expecting to win this way. I knew that my opponent was a tough fighter, and I would have to close the distance with my reach. I’m looking forward to taking some time off and enjoying it with my family after this win,” said Arce.
Continuing the Ring TV’s live stream, rising star Emilio Sanchez (11-0, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles faced Juan “Juanito” Hernandez (4-2, 1 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico in a six-round super bantamweight fight. The two fighters traded shots in the middle of the ring from the opening bell. With a minute left to go in the first round, Sanchez caught Hernandez in between a combination with a monster left hook that sent Hernandez tumbling to the canvas. Hernandez attempted to meet the count, but the referee called a halt to the bout. Sanchez was declared the winner via first round technical knockout, adding another knockout victory to his knockout-heavy resume.
“I had been working on strength training and really liked how it impacted me this fight. I was able to break him down bit by bit with my body shots and then eventually catch him with my hook,” said Sanchez.
Opening up the Ring TV’s live stream, San Antonio’s Joshua Franco (3-0, 2 KO’s) met Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico’s Leonardo Reyes (3-9-1, 1 KOs) in a six-round super flyweight match. Franco came out aggressively, dropping Reyes in the first round. Rising to meet the count, Reyes attempted to finish the round but was overwhelmed by Franco who landed a sustained barrage of punches forcing the referee to stop the fight, awarding Franco the win by first round technical knockout
“I was conditioned and ready to fight a longer fight. Our strategy was to break him down, but it came sooner than expected and I’m thrilled to have gotten the win. He came out swinging but I have always been able to keep my composure and stick to the game plan and it worked out great” said Franco.
LA FIGHT CLUB: Gonzalez vs. Ochoa was an eight-round super featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout began at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast aired live on Friday, December 4 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT., and was simultaneously streamed live on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream began at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.
LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxing series that showcases the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring is set on the main floor of the Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood spins music during the fights and fans are able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.
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