Recap: El Tigre Promotions Card
Be sure to check out our LongLiveBoxing EnVivo Podcast Episode #19 where we recap all the action! ( Podcast available on Google Podcast, Stitcher Podcast, Apple Podcast, IHeartRadio, Spotify, Castbox and Podcast Addict!)
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Conroe, TX- About 45 minutes north from Downtown Houston, the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe, TX, played host to a fantastic fight card! “Yo Soy Terrenos Houston Fight Night”, Promoted by El Tigre Promotions, featured some exciting talent around the Houston area. The headlining bout was a perfect fit for Rocky 8! This time, Russia vs Mexico as Alfonso “EL Tigre” Lopez (32-3 25KOs) battled “Dragos Son” Dennis Grachev (19-9-1) for the Vacant NABF Light Heavyweight Title.
YouTube - Recap: El Tigre Promotions Card [ Podcast studio recording ]
After a few feeling out first rounds the intensity level picked up! Grachev, in his customary all out pressure style, quickly put the crowd on notice. He wasn’t just there for a paycheck; his mission was to win! An accidental headbutt cut El Tigre above the eye in round 4. Later, El Tigre responded with powerful left shots that resulted in Grachev being cut as well! Both warriors were a bloody mess in the middle rounds, with neither willing to succumb to defeat.
In the later rounds, El Tigre looked rejuvenated! The type of fighter that gets stronger as the rounds go on. Tigre kept his distance, worked the jab and showed great footwork along with impeccable conditioning forcing Grachev to apply ineffective pressure. In the end the judges scored it unanimously, 98-92, 97-93, 96-94. LongLiveBoxing scored it 97-93 in favor for the new NABF Light Heavyweight Champion Alfonso “El Tigre” Lopez.
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The filled to capacity arena jeered loudly as El Tigre was announced the winner! With the victory, Alfonso should move up in the WBO rankings putting himself in prime position for a shot at one of the higher ranked fighters. We spoke to EL Tigre on our Podcast and he mentioned anyone can get it! Be it Zurdo Ramirez, Jesse Hart, Eledier Alvarez or the more famous Alvarez, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez! El Tigre is confident he’d walk away victorious in a dual against Canelo! Even stating “I’d kick Canelo's Ass!” Would love to see that fight!
UNDERCARD ACTION!
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The opening bout of the night featured Muay Thai turned pro boxer Alexis “El Lobo Feroz” Chavarria (1-0) as he defeated Christian Morris (0-3). The entertaining duel set the evenings tone. El Lobo Feroz, who walked to the ring wearing a Wolf Mask, applied constant pressure never taking a step back. Not even after suffering a cut in the first round. In the end the judges scored it unanimously in favor of Chavarria as he wins his pro debut.
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Adam Ealoms (4-18) took the stage next and secured a second-round stoppage over Lucas McDonald (0-5). Lucas corner threw in the towel 1:57 into round 2. Ealoms looked ripped and took this bout very seriously.
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Saul "Mayan Warrior" Mendez improved to 2-0 with a win over Robert "Bones" Pina (0-1). Saul scored a 2nd round knockdown with a vicious overhand right! All 3 judges scored it 39-36.Hugo
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"El Toro" Trujillo(5-2-1), from Mexico City, with the mild upset win over Eugene Hill (34-2). These Heavyweights did not move like big boys! Scores were Draw, overruled by 58-56 & 60-54. Eugene Hill did his best to hype the crowd up. Walking into the ring to the Halloween theme music while wearing the Michael Myers mask!
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In a battle for the vacant ABO lightweight title, Christian "El Ninja" Guido (8-12) overcame a pumped Alicio "Iron" Castaneda (15-3-1) by split decision! Scores were 58-56 Castaneda overruled by 58-56 & 60-54! Castaneda was accompanied to the ring by Mariachis but was unable to transfer that energy into his fight.
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Houston's Roger Ibarra won a grueling Super Middleweight fight! Improving to 5-0! Mark Beuke drops to 3-3 but gives a great account of himself! Awesome fight! I’m calling this the co-fight of the night with El Tigre.
We had the privilege of interviewing Roger post-fight. Be sure to check it out on our Facebook Page “Inside the Ring With Manny Marrero & Sean Hicks” and on Instagram at Long_Live_Boxing365.
Juan Antonio Velasquez secured his fourth victory with no defeats, over Deshawn Kennedy (0-1). The 18-year-old took home a unanimous decision with all 3 judges having it 39-37. Juan looked very comfortable displaying blazing speed and a long-range stiff jab. Does need to move his head a bit more though.
SWING BOUTS
Juan Torres (4-2-1) came away with a majority decision over Ron Guerrero (21-20-3). Scores were 60-54, 58-56 and 57-57.
Raynard Talib improved to 2-0 as the super welterweight won a unanimous decision over Jabrandon Harris (0-4). Scores were 40-36.
The impressive Ivan Vasquez (5-0) continued his winning ways securing a unanimous decision win over Jose F. Leon (0-6-1). Middleweight Vasquez further fuels the hype around him. Definitely need to keep an eye on him!
Adrian Pequeno won his second bout via TKO as he stops Keith Miles (0-3) with 0:26 remaining in round 2.
Armando Frausto (8-1) avenged his only defeat over Jonathan Leona Ramos (18-26-5) by majority decision. Scores were 59-55, 57-57 and 58-56. There would be no encore upset for Ramos this time around.
Overall the event was a major success! The fans left happy which is all you can really ask for. LongLiveBoxing wants to thank Chris with El Tigre Promotions for the kind hospitality. We look forward to the next event!
Article written by:
“Hopper” Dominguez
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