By Chris Morris
March 6, 2015, at the Radisson Hotel, 3155 S. Vaughn Way in Aurora, Airtight Boxing (Steve Mestas) presents ‘Strictly Business’, the main event featuring ‘Rob ‘Red Hot’ Frankel (33-15-1, 6 KO’s) in a scheduled for 8 rounds light welterweight bout against a yet-to-be determined opponent.
The undercard is set with super featherweights Antonio Solarzano (1-3, 1 KO) vs Eddie Moreno (debut), cruiserweights Issac Atencio (3-4-1, 3 KOs) vs Dean Williams (0-0-1), super featherweights Armando Vera (1-0) vs Dylan Oligo (debut), middleweights Freddy Marquez (debut) vs Andrew Almaguer (0-1), middleweights Ricardo Reyes (2-1, 1 KO) vs Johnny Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KO’s) all in scheduled for 4 rounds bouts. Female featherweights Brittany Cruz (9-6-1, 2 KO’s) vs Angela Hayes (1-1) battle in a scheduled for 5 rounds bout and in the co-main event Raul ‘El Chino’ Carrillo (14-1, 7 KO’s) vs Tyler Pogline (5-10, 4 KO’s) in a rematch of a fierce battle held back in October 2011, Carrillo getting the 6 rounds UD win with scores of 58-55, 58-55 and 57-56.
Carrillo has been in the ring five times since the Pogline encounter his only loss a 10 rounds UD battle against Rob Frankel in February of 2012 for the vacant United States WBC (USNBC) super lightweight title. Carrillo had only one fight in 2014 that being 5 rounds in a UD win over Jeremiah Torres in July, fights with adequate time to properly train hard to come by.
The Longmont residing Raul ‘El Chino’ Carrillo, trains under the guidance of Raul ‘Romo’ Utajara of Ghost Town Promotions.
Utajara and Carrillo see things a bit different than Pogline, not quite understanding why Pogline would choose to call them out for this fight, something Pogline denies.
“Pogline decided this fight was one he wanted”, began Utajara. “He called us out after preliminary discussions regarding a fight between ‘Chino’ and either Rob Frankel or Manny Perez stalled. ‘Chino’ is a 100% better fighter than he was in 2011 and Pogline is the same old Pogline. He’ll jab and run, jab and run, all night. For him this fight is about landing that one lucky punch, I guarantee you that’s what he’s hoping for, landing that one punch that can put ‘Chino’ down because he did just that in 2011. ‘Chino’ was down for an 8 count, got up and was stronger and more determined to get the win. There’s still the plan of a world title shot being very much a reality for Carrillo and there’s no way we lose this fight. I personally believe that after thinking about it, Pogline realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew”.
‘Chino’ Carrillo echoed the same sentiments as his manager Utajara saying, “All we ever ask is for 6-8 weeks to prepare for a fight. There have been several offers with 1-2 weeks to prepare, some asking if we’d take a fight in one week. I’m not interested in padding someone else’s record when I know I have bigger and better things to come in my career. Having 6 weeks to prepare for this fight is plenty. No disrespect to Pogline but many have told me of social media conversations where Pogline actually feels he won our first fight. It’ll be settled this Friday night and I cannot wait.”
The Colorado Springs residing Tyler Pogline has been inactive since that 2011 Carrillo bout, that of no concern him feeling a ‘Carrillo vs Pogline’ fight one the fans can appreciate knowing both fighters give their all.
“Carrillo and me, we just fight. Nothing fancy, we just go. It’s who we are”, began Pogline. “I’m training down here in Colorado Springs under (head trainer) Carlos Ibarra, Robert Jacoby and Brandon Buchanan and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m ready and prepared. I work 10-12 hour days but train 2 hours every day and have my four kids (sons Tyson, Oscar and Max with one daughter Tatum) every weekend which is exhausting. It’s a tough schedule but I’ll be rested and ready come Friday night. If I come away with the win, I’d hope to get a call for the May 2nd undercard of Mayweather vs Pacquiao in Las Vegas, should something fall through. Other than that, my focus is putting something together for the kids in my Colorado Springs community. I never called ‘Chino’ out, just made myself available to fight. There’s really nothing more to it than that”.
Perspectives may differ but rest assured this fight between Raul ‘El Chino’ Carrillo and Tyler Pogline should be very interesting.
Ticket information: Steve Mestas 720-298-1954 or 720-266-8772
Here is Stephen Johnson’s fight report from the first encounter:
“Last night’s Airtight Boxing/House of Pain Boxing fight card held at Red & Jerry’s Events Center in Sheridan, Colorado, provided a packed house with entertaining bouts from top to bottom culminating with the main event where Raul ‘Chino’ Carrillo (9-0, 6 KO’s) survived a tough match with Tyler Pogline (5-9, 4 KO’s), winning a hard fought unanimous decision.
Pogline looked overmatched on paper but was clearly determined to prove his worth, and shocked both the crowd and Carrillo with a perfectly thrown overhand right in round three that put Carrillo squarely on the seat of his pants.
Pogline continued to press the action for the remainder of the bout but came up short with scores of 57-56, and 58-55 twice, giving Carrillo the unanimous decision victory that an appreciative crowd enjoyed.”
