A boisterous crowd provided the backdrop for a second successful locally flavored Card in just six weeks at the Fairfield, Ca. Civic Center as Paco Promotions in association with Golden Boy/Don Chargin presented an abbreviated but still largely enjoyable five fight Bill. Headlining the Event was transplanted New Yorker Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin who turned in a workman-like performance in disposing of once prospect now turned “opponent” Dennis Sharpe at 1:54 of the fourth round.
From the opening bell, it was clear that hand speed would prove to be the difference in the fight and Quillin was simply too quick for his overmatched but game opponent. The stoppage by Ref Marcos Rosales following a burst of energy from Quillin in the 4th brought little protest from those in attendance as the die appeared to be cast from the opening moments of the fight. In fact, a willingness on his part to pick up the pace in the 4th appeared to do nothing but hasten Sharpe’s demise.
After the fight, Quillin threw miniature Totsie Rolls in the crowd, but just like against Sharpe, nothing too sweet was being returned his way. He’s not nor has he ever been a good facsimile of his namesake from Cuba, the original Kid Chocolate (Quillin‘s father is Cuban), and this win did little to establish that he can ever get beyond the mid-level range, especially in the ultra-talented Super Middleweight Division, IMO he needs to focus lower. Quillin improves to 23-0(17 Ko’s) while Sharpe drops his sixth in a row to fall to 17-6-3(3 Ko’s).
In a spirited co-feature, Alan Sanchez scored two knockdowns and a slightly wider than warranted decision win over previously unbeaten (but against suspect opposition) John Grimaldo.
Strangely, neither fighter seemed overly concerned with anything remotely resembling a body attack. Sanchez’s early movement allowed him to capture the first couple rounds, but he appeared to be slightly depleted after attempting to finish Grimaldo off in the third following a cracking left hook that dropped the Colorado native and had him wobbled, blooded, and on the edge of defeat. A good rally by the tough Grimaldo in rds 4-6 made the fight somewhat interesting, but a 8th Round knockdown left little doubt about the decision. The popular Sanchez improved to 7-2-1(2 Ko’s) while Grimaldo dropped to 6-1(0 Ko’s).
In the best performance of the night, Cameron Dunkin’s newest star Fidel Maldonado Jr. had little trouble with hapless Carlos Hernandez, who had apparently never faced a southpaw before, or at least not one this good. Two knockdowns in the 1st Rd, including one in which Hernandez struggling to pick up his mouthpiece and barely beat the count in an attempt to prevent the inevitable. A opening barrage at the start of the second left Ref Ed Collantes mercifully calling a halt to the bout. Maldonado Jr. improved to 8-0 (7 KO’s) while Hernandez falls to 3-5-2(4 Ko’s) and hopefully into a new line of work.
The vocal Vaccaville contingent turned out in full force for native son and former amateur star Manuel Avila as he outclassed winless Jose Garcia before ending matters with a left hook as time ran out toward the end of the 4th and final round. Some definite work to be done, his speed might not be able to overcome some defense flaws when he faces a higher caliber opponent…..but until that time, he’ll remain a real fan favorite and provide good support to Northern California Cards. Avila impoves to 2-0 (1 Ko) while Garcia loses for the third time in as many fights.
In the opener, another local product Guy Robb of Sacramento, with his vociferous Trainer Repo Rick in tow, cruised through a four rounder against overmatched Omar Sanchez, scoring knockdowns in both the 3rd and 4th rounds to claim his 2nd Professional win in as many fights while Sanchez takes his second professional loss. All in all, another good night of boxing for Northern California’s best new venue.
