|
Quinonez Wins NABF Title; Vargas Retains Belt
By David A. Avila (March 24, 2003)
 Send this page to friend Give us your feedback
PECHANGA RESERVATION — It's just the first step for Steve Quinonez who captured the NABF lightweight title with a convincing 12-round decision at the Pechanga Resort and Casino on Sunday.
"This is my fourth belt," said Quinonez, 31, Desert Springs. "I'm looking for the world title belt now."
Facing the always dangerous Antonio Ramirez (19-6-6), Quinonez moved laterally to his left while delivering stinging left hands to Ramirez.
"He was real slow, but he was real tough," said Quinonez (30-6-1). "I hurt him a lot of times but he was still hitting hard so I was careful with him."
Quinonez, a southpaw, carefully began the fight by continuously circling his left, trying to stay out of range of Ramirez's heavy punches. By the third round, it was evident that Quinonez had too much quickness for Ramirez and began landing lead lefts that stunned Ramirez.
After several rounds of boxing and moving, Quinonez began moving to the inside, confident that he could out-quick Ramirez who was visibly tiring.
"He was tired, but he still was hitting pretty hard," said Quinonez. "I was connecting pretty good with the left. My corner kept telling me to go after him, but I knew he was still punching strong."
In the co-featured bout, Ricardo "Chapo" Vargas (34-9-3) successfully defended his NABF bantamweight title with a technical decision win.
Despite fighting the heavy-handed Gerson Guerrero (25-5), Vargas attacked the Mexico City fighter throughout the fight. A cut opened over the left eye of Guerrero because of an accidental head butt forced referee Raul Caiz to halt the fight. California rules call for the remainder of a fight stopped because of an accidental head butt to go to the score cards where all three judges had it 109-100 for Vargas.
"He was a fine boxer," said Vargas, who beat another Mexico City fighter Jhonny Gonzalez to win the title last year. "He hit kind of hard, but I was throwing a lot more punches."
Vargas is seeking a world title fight some time later this year.
Dan Goossen, president of Goossen-Tutor Promotions, said he is working on a fight between Vargas and IBF bantamweight title-holder Rafael Marquez who recently took the belt from Tim Austin last February.
"We don't care which champion it is," Vargas said. "It's our time to get a chance at the world title."
Other fights:
Heavyweight Dannel Nicholson (41-4) won a grueling battle of clinches in a six-round affair over Sione Asipelli (17-6-2).
Urbano Antillon (9-0) won by technical knockout over Leobardo Roman (2-9-4).
"I didn't know what kind of fighter he was, but I didn't care," said Antillon, who trains in Los Angeles. "Right now I'd like a fight with someone like Mike Anchondo."
Jose Rico (6-5-1) won a unanimous decision over Sergio Espinosa (8-1-1).
Hector Rocha (9-0) won a unanimous decision victory over Jesus Jimenez
(9-10-2).
Discuss this Topic - Go to the forums
David Avila's Archives - Click Here
|
