las vegas boxing - articles

Flamingo Hilton, Las Vegas, NV

May 3,2003

Reported by: Steven Robinson

Main Events put together the card for the first NBC network broadcast of boxing in twelve years at the Flamingo Hilton today. The featured bout put former Olympic Silver Medallist Rocky Juarez 15-0, 11KO’s of Houston, TX against Las Vegas resident Frankie Archuleta 22-3-1, 13 KO’s in a Featherweight contest. Juarez started cautiously in round one, while Archuleta used multiple scoring jabs to keep him away. By round 2 Juarez was warmed up and landed some big shots to the head. Late in round 3 Juarez caught Archuleta off balance and put him down for an eight count but he survived the round. Archuleta was cut over the left eye in round four but stayed on his feet while Juarez began to wear him down. In round 5 Archuleta got defensive covering his eye so Rocky began to work his body. Archuleta was knocked down for an eight count early in round 6 and his corner through in the towel as Juarez continued to pound him around the ring. Rocky Juarez wins by TKO at 2:39 of round 6.

In the opening bout of the evening 2001 & 2002 US Amateur Heavyweight Champion BJ Flores made his Pro Debut. He took on Dallas Lane 3-2-1, 1KO of Marshfield, MO in a scheduled four round event. Lane put three lefts together early in round one to send Lane to the canvas. He beat the count but crumpled quickly from an overhand right that caused Referee Robert Byrd to stop the bout. First professional KO for Flores at 1:02 of round 1.

In a JR Middleweight bout Freddie Cuevas 21-4-1, 15 KO’s of Chicago, IL took on Rogelio “El Kuco” Martinez 12-4-1, 5KO’s of the Dominican Republic in a 10 round contest. In a close contest a stronger but less skilled Martinez outworked Cuevas in several rounds. Cuevas landed the harder blows but failed to put them together and follow up after landing a good shot. Judges Duane Ford and Al Lefkowitz scored the bout 96-94, while CJ Ross scored 97-93 all for Martinez.

In a Jr. Lightweight contest Undefeated Darling Jimenez 14-0-2 of Bronx, NY by way of Dominican Republic took on Miguel “ El Anestesista”Huerta 17-4-1, 13 KO’s of Mexico City, MX. Jimenez handily won round one using his hand speed but Huerta evidently lulled Jimenez to sleep in this action packed close contest. Two hard-hitting Jr Lightweights who could also take a punch. Judge Al Lefkowitz scored a draw 76-76, as did LVBoxing. Judges CJ Ross and Art Lurie scored 77-75 for Huerta giving him a majority decision and sending Jimenez to his first loss.

In a scheduled 6 round Welterweight bout Archak “Attack” Termelikstian 5-0, 5KO’s of Brazil took on a local fighter Jose “Snoopy” Rodriguez 7-6, 5 KO’s. All of Archak's previous fights were rumored to have ended in the first minute of each bout so an early KO was anticipated. It was not to be as “Attack” landed an occasional blow while “Snoopy” swung wildly mostly hitting only air. The audience dozed to the conclusion of this six round contest while all three judges scored the bout 60-54 for Termelikstian who ventured into new territory.

In the walk off bout Miguel Torrecillas 12-3, 6 KO’s of Juarez, MX won a Unanimous Decision in a six round Lightweight contest over Mark Burse 11-5-1, 6 KO’s of Las Vegas, NV.