Bash Boxing and Art of Boxing Promotions joins forces with Top Rank Boxing yet again, this time right back in the venue in which they helped to make history. Breaking a 62 year professional boxing drought, the promotional team of Kahren Haryutunyan and Steven Bash brought boxing back to Glendale, California in 2010. They have now made it a lucky seven shows at the Glendale Civic Auditorium and attendance has reached sell out proportions in their most recent shows.
On the Glendale Fight Night 7 card, the Super Featherweight division is on display, with bouts at Light Heavyweight, Welterweight, Super Lightweight, and Middleweight, as well. Glendale Fight News Previews Saturday’s most intriguing bouts below.
Sergio Nunez (12-1-1, 8KOs)
vs. Angel Rodriguez (11-1, 5KOs)
In the main event to be broadcast live on Unimas as part of the Solo Boxeo Tecate series, Sylmar, California’s Sergio Nunez (12-1-1-8KOs) goes against Tijuana’s Angel Rodriguez (11-1-5KOs) in a 130 pound bout. Nunez has recently stepped up the level of his competition, and has had mixed results. He had success in stopping 10-1-1 Raul Hinojosa in only one round, and edging 14-1 Rafael Reyes by decision. Yet, he also suffered his only defeat at the hands of Carlos Diaz Ramirez, by 8 round decision. His last 5 fights have been in Mexico, and he looks to return to winning ways back here in his backyard. As a trainer at one of the largest Martial Arts gyms in the San Fernando Valley, Nunez will be sure to have his friends and family supporting him in Glendale.
Rodriguez, for his part, also suffered his only defeat at the hands of the same opponent Carlos Diaz Ramirez. So this test against Nunez will be a litmus test to see which prospect can overcome their toughest challenge to date and move on to bigger and better. Rodriguez, as his opponent likes to come forward and come often so this main event is sure to produce fireworks. And like so many boxers coming north of the border before him, Rodriguez will look to make his first appearance on US soil a memorable one.
Toka Kahn Clary (14-0, 9KOs)
vs. Edwin Solis (6-2-3, 4KOs)
Also at 130lbs, Toka Kahn Clary (14-0-9KOs) of Pawtucket, RI, by way of Liberia, looks to remain unbeaten when he takes on local tough guy Edwin Solis (6-2-3-4KOs). Clary is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr in Providence, and is a former 2010 National Golden Gloves Champion. He has fought many times in Las Vegas, but this is only his second trip to Southern California. He was signed right out of the amateurs by Top Rank and is still on the radar as a can’t miss prospect.
Standing in Clary’s way will be the ultimate challenge for any prospect who wants to be considered a contender rather than a pretender. Edwin Solis has fought 6 times in Southern California and local fights fans have grown to appreciate his fearless approach to taking on all challengers and upsetting a lot of them. Solis is facing his 6th undefeated opponent in his short professional career. Yet he is undefeated himself in 6 bouts since September of 2012 (3 wins, 3 draws), while facing opponents with a combined record of (57 wins, 8 losses, and 5 draws).
Egor Mekhontsev, (7-0, 6KOs)
vs. Marcelo DaSilva (18-4, 12KOs)
In Light Heavyweight action, hot Russian prospect Egor Mekhontsev, (7-0-6KOs) takes on Brazil’s Marcelo DaSilva (18-4-12KOs). Mekhontsev was a gold medalist in the 2012 London Olympics and one of the most decorated amateur fighters in Russia’s rich history of amateur boxing. In his short yet impressive professional career, Mekhonstsev has already fought in China, Russia, Vegas, Atlantic City, and Texas. He was extended the distance (8 rounds) for the first time in his last outing, and is looking to get back in the KO column.
Da Silva is making his first US appearance, and has only left Brazil to box twice, once in Argentina and once in Poland. He is coming off a recent 10-round decision win for a South American regional belt. 12 of DaSilva’s 18 wins, and 3 of his 4 losses have been by KO. So this 8 rounder is a huge early morning favorite for KO of the Night with both fighters coming in with intentions to end things dramatically.
Arnold Barbosa (5-0-1KOs)
vs. James Harrison (3-6-1-1KOs)
Arnold Barbosa (5-0-1KOs) appeared on the last Glendale Fight Night in December and has quickly made up for some time away from the ring with 2 victories in 2 months. He takes on Louisiana’s James Harrison (3-6-1-1KOs) in a welterweight contest. Barbosa is coming off his first KO win, but tough-guy Harrison has only been stopped once, and has never faced an opponent with a defeat! So the durable opponent vs. the rising prospect scenario will play out once again with a possible upset brewing if the prospect does not take his less-than-stellar record opponent seriously.
Luis Sedano (4-0, 1KO)
vs. Karl Garcia (4-4-1)
Duarte’s Luis Sedano is also a Glendale Fight Night returnee as he overcame a first round knockdown against previously undefeated Luis Diaz (1-0) to capture a unanimous four round decision on the August 9th Glendale Fight Night 5 show. Karl Garcia is not stranger to being the spoiler as he has upsets against previous undefeated fighters Pedro Vicente and Ricardo Reyes. With that said, this bout is definitely Sedano’s toughest to date while Garcia will be aiming to give another boxer a taste of his first defeat.
Gloferson Ortizo (2-0-1)
vs. Ray Mena (1-0-1)
A battle of two undefeated local boxers is definitely the most intriguing undercard bout on the card as Santa Ana’s Gloferson Ortizo (2-0-1) takes on Corona’s Ray Mena (1-0-1). The Filipino Ortizo who trains out of the World Famous Wildcard Boxing Club and with fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao, fought in a 4 round war with Danny Ruiz during the last Glendale Fight Night show. That fight made it on the Unimas Solo Boxeo telecast and this one has the potential to do the same. For the boxer known as “El Rayo”, this is his first visit to the Glendale Civic Auditorium but he plans to make it a successful one. One thing we now about this fight…somebody’s “0” should go, although each man has already fought to a draw once in their careers.
Cem Kilic (2-0)
vs. Tony Juarez (0-5-1)
Middleweight Cem Kilic returns to Glendale where he made his professional debut last December. Kilic is looking for his first KO and may just get it against the winless Juarez.
