Josesito Lopez stops Aron Martinez in 5!
“The Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez (32-6, 18 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over East LA’s Aron Martinez (19-3-1, 4 KOs) on Thursday night at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage Ca. Lopez came out aggressive and pressed the action while Martinez laid back and countered in spots. The two went toe-to-toe in the third and Martinez turned the tables in the fourth as he began to move forward and throw, maybe out of a sense of urgency following a clash of heads that opened up a small cut over Martinez’ left eye. Unfortunately the end would come with a bit of controversy. Lopez would land two vicious left hooks to the head and body that stunned Martinez, so much that he needed a break but instead of taking a knee, he turned his back in the neutral corner in an attempt to avoid further punishment. Referee Jack Reiss quickly stepped in and halted the action, taking Martinez’ actions as a sign that he no longer wanted to continue. Martinez argued the stoppage but to no avail. Official time was 1:19 of the fifth round.
“I set him up with a few left hooks to the body, dipped to go to the body but instead came up top with the left hook and that’s what really connected” said Lopez “I wish it could’ve gone a little longer, I had more to show but it’s always nice to cut it a little bit short.”
“I’m disappointed, I was starting to come on” said Martinez “I turned and I was just covering my head because I thought he was going to hit me behind (the head) and they stopped the fight but I wasn’t hurt at all”
In the co-feature, undefeated Thomas Williams (17-0, 11 KOs) scored a third round KO over veteran Enrique Ornelas (34-9, 22 KOs) in a light heavyweight bout scheduled for ten. A check hook from the southpaw stance followed by a left cross floored Ornelas in the second round and in the third, a one-two combo from Williams finished it. Ornelas would make it to one knee during the count but when he stumbled back, referee Raul Caiz Jr. immediately waved it off. Official time was 2:48 of the third round.
“He is an experienced veteran” Said Williams “I let him come to me and make his mistakes. He gave me some good quality rounds”
On the undercard,
Undefeated Immanuel Aleem (8-0, 4 KOs) stopped a game but outclassed Michael Noriega (4-2, 4 KOs) in the second round of a scheduled six. A brutal body attack by Aleem nearly ended it in the opening round but Noriega somehow survived the round. Aleem, of East Meadow NY kept the pressure on through the second round where a right hook sent Noriega crashing to the canvas and unable to continue. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. mercifully waved it off at 2:04 with Noriega down on one knee.
New Yorker Moshea Aleem (4-0, 2 KOs) aka “Happy Feet” (well that’s what a fan was calling him throughout the fight) earned a unanimous decision over Edwardo Cordova (4-7-1, 1 KO) after four rounds. The overly-flashy Aleem was quick and threw in combinations when he wasn’t dancing around and showboating. A left hook floored Cordova in the second round but Lee was unable to finish the job. Cordova fought hard but was clearly fighting above his level. Scores were 40-35 all around.
Philly fighter Dennis Hasson (15-0, 5 KOs) scored a second round KO over journeyman Roberto Ventura (14-8, 13 KOs) to remain undefeated. Hasson floored Ventura in the second round but was deducted a point for hitting Ventura while he was down. It wouldnt matter as Hasson followed up with a barrage of punches that sent Ventura crashing to the canvas and not wanting to continue on. Referee Jack Reiss waved it off when he asked “No mas” (No More) and Ventura responded by shaking his head, no.
Middleweight Joshua Conley (7-0-1, 6 KOs) remained unbeaten with a four round unanimous decision over Jamal Harris (5-7-4, 3 KOs). Conley played the counter puncher for most of the fight and seemed to do just enough to win rounds. Scores were 39-37 all around.
Unbeaten lightweight Juan Funez (5-0, 2 KOs) pulled out a last minute KO over rugged journeyman Sergio Najera (6-13-2, 1 KO) inside four rounds. Funez had his hands full but seemed to be on his way to a dominate decision when he unloaded a brutal combination that had Najera on shaky legs. A final left hook that sent sweat flying into the first row had referee Jack Reiss stepping in to save the Mexican from further damage. Official time was 2:28.
Covina’s Maurice Lee (4-0, 2 KOs) went the distance with a win-less Eduardo Meledrez (0-4-1) of Pasco Washington. Lee dominated the action and busted up the face of Melendrez to earn scores of 39-37, 40-36 and a a very odd 38-38.