Windy City Friday Night Fight II: Sandoval v. Martinez
By Kate Gardiner in News on Jun 1, 2009 4:00PM
It was billed as the rematch of the year - local boy Jamie Sandoval (now 13-4-1 record; 12 KOs) versus Juan Carlos "El Pez" Martinez (now 8-15) in the boxing ring Friday night at UIC, fighting for the World Boxing Federation's Americas Lightweight Championship. Instead, it was ten rounds of tepid boxing, culminating in a clear win for Martinez. Sandoval, 28, who has been chided by his peers for skipping the proving ground of amateur boxing to head straight into the pros ring, spent the first two rounds avoiding his opponent and the last two forgetting his combinations, often attempting to land single punches on a deft and flighty Martinez. The latter fighter wasn't exactly jumping into the holes left by his opponent, but he could afford to be selective, especially over the course of the first five rounds. Sandoval is former world champion Jesus Chavez's little brother, and has the benefit of great training; whether Friday's fight was a fluke remains to be seen.
Despite the disappointing title match, the crowd was treated to a few rollicking bouts of boxing - specifically the super bantamweight and lightweight bouts. Super bantamweights Sergio Montes de oca (Chicago) and Leshaun "Lil' Bossman" Blair (Knoxville, Tenn.) were evenly matched and gave as good as they got. Montes de oca won, despite a knock-em-fuzzy punch in the second round (of four) that sent Blair to his corner and a concerned ref to the reeling Montes' aid. Blair, who traveled in for the event from his hometown, is now 5-18 for his professional career; in-ring charisma only goes so far, apparently. Montes de oca, 23, is now 3-0.
Chicago-based lightweight Russell Fiore brought with him as many friends and family members as he could find - and used the crowd's energy to his advantage, knocking out Indianapolis-based Derrick Hill in the second round. Hill, whose Indiana background, brought only boos from fans, ended his time in the ring perched on a stool, apparently dizzy with the power of Fiores' punch; Fiores ended his evening pounding his chest like Tarzan.
The next Windy City Fight Night will be held June 26 at the Pavillion, 525 S. Racine. Call 312-336-5800 for tickets.
Check out the full set of pics here.