By Andy Rivera, at ringside (click here for full photo gallery)
photo by Tom Hernandez

In a wild fight, Holly Holm defended her IBA Welterweight title with a seventh round stoppage over Shadina Pennybaker at Isleta Casino outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fight was halted after Pennybaker suffered a cut over her right eye, which caused the fight to be stopped. Pennybaker and her camp felt Holm used her head to cause the cut, which was the second cut Pennybaker suffered in the fight, but referee Russ Mora called it a punch. At the time of the stoppage Holm was ahead on the scorecards. Holm raises her record to 13-1-1, while Pennybaker falls to 9-5-1.

Both Holm and Pennybaker came out slow early in the opening round, with Holm circling the ring firing her left handed jab with Pennybaker picked most off with her gloves. Holm was able to land a few left hands that won her the round. Both fighter clashed heads at the end of the round, causing a cut on the inner side of Pennybakers left eye.
Both fighters came out more aggressive in round two & three with Holm trapping Pennybaker on the ropes landing quick flurries, Pennybaker would fire back with rights of her own, but she was able to get off one punch at a time; having trouble with Holm’s height.

Holm got credit in round four for a knockdown, when she landed a left hand to the shoulder of Pennybaker, the punch sent her to the ropes where here gloves touched the floor, it was a close call, but referee Russ Mora issued a standing eight count on Pennybaker who complained the whole time. “It was my shoulder! It was my shoulder! None the less it was a 10-8 round for Holm.

The action heated up in the fifth & sixth as Holm and Pennybaker traded away, Holm landing her left hand while Pennybaker landing right hands, neither fighter was hurt but points were being scored. Holm would have the edge in the round by throwing more.

Holm would come out firing in the seventh round sensing she was getting closer to Pennybaker, going in landing lefts and rights to the head. As both fighter came in it looked as if the clashed heads again causing a huge cut right side of Pennybakers eye. Pennybaker would step aside telling Mora that she head butted me, Mora called time and had the ring doctor take a look at the cut, Pennybaker was allowed to continue. As Holm looked land another left hand, Mora once again called time to have the ring doctor take another look, this time the fight was called off. The cut was ruled caused by a punch with Holm getting credit for a tko victory.

In the only comment regarding the stoppage, which I feel was correct due to severity of the cut; it had no bearing on the outcome, with Holm ahead on the cards once the bout was stopped. I feel that it is the doctor’s responsibility to halt the action if the fighter is cut and should not be allowed to continue. Last nights ring doctor looked twice at the cut never once taking control, looking at Commissioner John Montano, who made the decision to halt the fight rather then the doctor.

The fight was another complete sellout with Holm being the headliner, with a crowd of over 2800. Holm’s promoter Lenny Fresquez has done a remarkable job bringing women’s boxing to the forefront in New Mexico and making Holm the #1 draw in Albuquerque.

MONTOYA EXPLODES ON TORRES

Showing everyone that he is a different man and fighter Lee Montoya left no doubts this time in his rematch with Jeremiah Torres from their first bout in 2004. Montoya had to comeback to halt Torres in the final round in a fight many had Torres ahead at the time of the stoppage.  This time Montoya destroyed Torres at the: 47 mark of the second round.

Montoya looked great in round one, setting up his powerful right with stinging jabs, something he has always had, but seemed to get away from in past fights, this time he was prepared to use it as a major weapon against Torres.  In the final minute of the round Montoya landed a huge left hand that opened a huge gash over Torres left eye, referee Rocky Burke halted the action to have the ring doctor take a look at the cut, Torres was allowed to continue and finish the round.

”I went back to the basics for this fight, hitting the heavy bags, speed bags, I was humbled with the last loss and now it was time to get my mind straight.” stated Montoya. “I had a great camp, with my wife (Rhonda) sticking by me and keeping me straight I was able to get through with a win.”

In winning Montoya now would like to have a rematch with Freddy Hernandez, who gave Montoya his only loss last year. Montoya is now 9-1 (7 ko’s) , while Torres flls to 7-10.

Round two had Montoya land a crushing right hand that sent Torres down and staggering to get up, from there it was like a shark sensing blood. Montoya would land a huge left hook that ended the night and brought Montoya his seventh knockout in his career.

MARTINEZ STEPS IT UP BIG-TIME!

Former WBC Youth Champion David Martinez looked his best since suffering his first loss last year to Tomas Villa. Martinez dominated Reynaldo Hurtado in capturing an almost shutout victory over Hurtado. Many thought Martinez was making a mistake taking on the veteran Hurtado who has been in with the likes of Rocky Juarez most recently and was a big jump for Martinez, but Martinez showed he will take on all comers in battling Hurtado. Martinez captured his 15th win with one set back by the scores of 79-72 on two of the three cards and 80-71 on the other. Hurtado drops to 37-10-1.

Martinez looked to have a little problem trying to get closer to the lanky Hurtado, lopping his right hand but missing. Hurtado would try to establish his jab, but it had little on it. Martinez was able to adjust as the round progressed to get closer to Hurtado, this time timing Hurtado with a counter right hand that caught Hurtado’s attention.

Martinez captured the round by being the aggressor.

Martinez looked to follow his trainer Sergio Chavez instructions, as he was able to land more frequently in round two, landing a hard right hand to Hurtado head, bringing Hurtado to shake his head as if to say it didn’t hurt, but in boxing we all know it’s the opposite. Martinez looked more confident and seemed to figure Hurtado out.

Round three was a great round for Martinez, as he was able to land more right hands to the head followed by lefts to the body, chopping Hurtado to size. Hurtado’s main punch landed in the round was a low blow that quickly drew a warning from referee Russ Mora. Martinez who is known for his superior boxing skills was attacking more then his previous fights, which was bringing the crowd to its feet with each flurry.

Martinez was in total control in round four & five dominating the rounds with lead right hands ad left hooks to the head. Hurtado had little fire power to keep Martinez off him.

Round six had Martinez winning the round once again by being the aggressor and more effective, Hurtado would try to land jabs and right hands but Martinez’ great head movement negated that. Hurtado’s best chance punches of the fight happened after the bell sounded to end round six. Hurtado hit Martinez with a hard right way after the bell, bringing Martinez to come after Hurtado. Referee Mora had to separate the two and had to order Martinez to go to his corner then issued a point deduction for hitting after the bell.

Martinez would cruise in the seventh & eighth round, as he was able to continue to his domination of Hurtadro, having little trouble in figuring out the Hurtado and how to get inside and land his bombs and keep Hurtado confused in his domination.

GOMEZ IMPRESSIVE IN ALBUQUERQUE DEBUT

Joe Gomez made an impressive Albuquerque debut with a third round stoppage over Santa Fe, New Mexico’s Rubel Tafoya. Gomez, who vacated his WBC Mundo-Lationo champion, came out early studying Tafoya, but once he figured out what Tafoya had to offer, he went on the attack.

Gomez controlled round one with staying outside and jabbing the smaller Tafoya, following that with a jab. Tafoya had one exciting moment in the final :10 of the round, landing a hard right hand that got the crowd excited but Gomez withstood the charge a the round ended.

Gomez came out more aggressive in the second round, throwing with authority landing hard right hands to the head and lefts to the body. Tafoya would try to fire back but the bigger Gomez wouldn’t back down. Gomez trapped Tafoya on the ropes and landed a hard right hand that sent Tafoya to a knee. Tafoya was able to get up, having the bell ring when the referee let the fight continue.

Gomez ended the night by landing a powerful left hook to the side of Tafoya’s head, one again putting Tafoya down, this time for good, as he was counted out by referee Rocky Burke. The punch immediately caused a mouse under the right eye of Tafoya. The time of the stoppage was: 46 of round three.

Gomez the newest member under the Fresquez Promotions banner is now 7-1, while Tafoya falls to 2-1.

UNDERCARD

In the opening fight of the night Donnell Wade captured a split decision over Clint Rhodes. The scores were announced 39-36 twice for Wade while the third judge had it
for Rhodes. Boxingscene.com/NewMexicoSportsNews.com had it 38-37 Rhodes.

With the win Wade raises his record to 3-1-1, while Rhodes loses in his pro debut.

Both fighters came out feeling out each other early, popping jabs with not much on them. Rhodes landed a good left hand to the head of Wade, but Wade was able to hake it off.

Wade put the pressure on Rhodes landing a hard right hand to the head of Rhodes, Rhodes hit the deck, got up and stumbled to the other side of the ring, he was in serious trouble, but Wade seemed confused on which corner to go to while referee Rocky Burke would start his count, the time wasted gave Wade time to recover a little and Wade a wasted opportunity to end the fight.

Round two had both fighters trying to load up and land one shot that would end the night. Wade landed another right hand to the head of Rhodes, this time Rhodes was able to withstand the punch and land a left of his own that would get Wades attention. Rhodes looked to be the busier fighter, but it was a close round to score with no one dominating.

Rhodes would win round three, coming out throwing flurries knowing he may need a knockout to win after he 10-8 scoring in the first round. Wade looked a little winded and didn’t mount much of an attack, doing more smiling each time Rhodes would land something. Rhodes was stealing the round with his aggression, not landing a lot but scoring points.

The fourth round once again had Rhodes winning the round by throwing more punches, Wade would try to load up, trying to rely more on the right hand that had Rhodes done early, but it now had no effect on Rhodes. Wade once again seemed to smile more then throw punches. It was going to be a matter if Rhodes won the second round in order to make up for the first round.

In a battle of pro debuts, Willie Villanueva of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Caesar Gutierrez Holguin slugged it our for four rounds.

Villanueva had the advantage in power and landing more punches for much of the fight. Holguin managed to land a few bombs of his own but it wasn’t enough as Villanueva captured a unanimous decision over Holguin.