Petey Contreras Jr. 60lbs
Contreras was going up to Kansas City despite not having any prior boxing experience other than training and
sparring. Many boxers can be overwhelmed by the large crowds and seeing boxers from other parts of the world.
The intimidation for Contreras lasted exactly one round, in his first fight. After a tough start "Petey" was his usual self
and stuck to the game plan (punch & move) and scored his first win. Contreras run ended in his 2nd bout of the
tournament in which he face a much more experienced boxer, Chamahn Lester (St. Louis).
Matt Suniga 80lbs
Weeks before the tournament Suniga's chances of making the trip did not look good. He was over 2 minutes slow on
his mile and was being left behind during sprints and other drills. His hard work and dedication to meet these goals
paid off. He was one of three boxers to return home with a belt. Although he came away with two wins in both outings
it wasn't easy for Suniga. His finals victory over Brand Penson (Orlando, FL) was clearly a coin-toss. With lady-luck
on our side Penson ended up on the short end again (he was a runner up in 2007) and had to settle for 2nd place
once again.
Ramon Cardenas 85lbs
Ramon, like Contreras was traveling up to Kansas with only training and sparring experience on his resume. Six
months after having stepped into our gym for the first time Cardenas scored a victory in his first fight over Ruben
Rodriguez (Indio, Calif). Cardenas dropped a decision (due to lack of effort) to Carlton Gray (Capital Heights, MD)
the following day. Seemed like Cardenas was satisfied after his first win.
Jonah Duron 85lbs
Jonah like Cardenas & Contreras was going up to Kansas with only sparring & training experience. He was the one
boxer that SHOULD HAVE lost to his opponent. It was clear after the first round that Antwon Leach Jr (Tinley Park, IL)
was clearly the more seasoned boxer of the two. Although Duron finished strong (winning the 3rd round) it was not
enough to make up for the slow start. He dropped a 3-0 decision in his first fight.
Christian Santibanez 90lbs
Santibanez scored the MOST impressive victory of his amateur career against last years Silver medalist (PAL
National) in his first fight of the tournament. It was a toe-to-toe battle in which Santibanez used a knockdown (
courtesy of a solid right hand by Ramirez) as motivation and went on the attack after receiving the mandatory 8
count. Santibanez dominated the fight after the knockdown and scored the win. We were all feeling good after
watching Santibanez look some impressive in his first bout. We all figured he'd win the tournament... no luck! He went
back in to cruise control the following night and dropped a decision to Dean Gervanto (St. Louis). Frustrating loss for
all of us.
Cresencio Ramos 95lbs
Ramos scored a good win over Canadian opponent Liam Hughes (St. Catherines, ON) scoring a couple of 8 counts
in the 2nd round. The following day he was paired up against the self proclamined 60-2 boxer out of Dallas, Ernesto
"Pookie" Degollado. This was a tough one to bring back home. It was an all out war that had the crowds attention.
After a good first round crowds started gathering around their ring cheering on both boxers as Ramos stalked the
running Degollado all over the ring. A solid JAB landed flush on Degollado face in the 3rd that sent Degollado
mouthpiece flying out of his mouth. After a warning by the referee Degollado was back on his bike trying to avoid the
aggressive Ramos. Although many thought we had pulled it out int he last round Degollado was awarded the victory.
OFFICIAL SCORECARDS OF THE FIGHT. Thumbnails
Steven Duron 106lbs
Duron was the 2nd boxer to win the belt. With Duron there's not secret to his style. HE COMES TO FIGHT. That was
his style for all 4 fights and it worked. In his semi-finals match he was matched up against a foe from his hometown of
San Antonio, George Alva (Angels Boxing Club), RSC-2. He scored a very good win in the finals vs David Jasso
(Lincon Park, IL). During the last seconds of the 3rd round Duron discovered his JAB & some counter punching...
once he gets the hang of this he'll realize how much easier it can be to win bouts.
Ray Cordova 132lbs
Cordova will have to live with this loss for a while. Cordova was clearly the better boxer but let his nerves get the best
of him. With nothing to lose Ray was "forced" to go out and FIGHT in the 3rd round. He won the last round but had a
hard time making up for the first two rounds in which he let the 6 foot opponent Walter Holmes (Philadelphia, PA) use
his size to intimidate him and keep him at bay.
Richard Soto 132 lbs
Soto won his 2nd Ringside Title, following an impressive run in 2007. He was just as impressive this time around.
After a VERY tough bout in his second fight against Adrian Maravilla (Houston, TX) Soto realized how easy things
can be when you decide to be SMART instead of TOUGH. He scored a VERY impressive win against Marcus
Robinson (Toledo, OH) to claim his 2nd title.
Steven Escobedo 132lbs
Due to having two boxers in the same bracket (Ray Cordova & Richard Soto) Escobedo (who would have been the
3rd) will have to wait to make his debut in a local show.
Tokumbo Adenerian 165lbs
"Devin" lost a heart-breaker in the finals. Adenerian wasn't supposed to be up in Kansas with us. He suffered a cut
over his left eyebrow 8 days prior to the tournament. We took our chances entering the tournament hoping doctors
wouldn't DQ him and it paid off. He won 3 fights in row before dropping a VERY close decision in the finals. Although
"Devin" lost in the finals he did score a few "victories" up in Kansas that I hope help him later in life.
COACHES
Arturo Ramos III, Cresencio Ramos Sr. and we baptised two others, Paul Suniga Sr. & Pete Contreras Sr.
Contreras was going up to Kansas City despite not having any prior boxing experience other than training and
sparring. Many boxers can be overwhelmed by the large crowds and seeing boxers from other parts of the world.
The intimidation for Contreras lasted exactly one round, in his first fight. After a tough start "Petey" was his usual self
and stuck to the game plan (punch & move) and scored his first win. Contreras run ended in his 2nd bout of the
tournament in which he face a much more experienced boxer, Chamahn Lester (St. Louis).
Matt Suniga 80lbs
Weeks before the tournament Suniga's chances of making the trip did not look good. He was over 2 minutes slow on
his mile and was being left behind during sprints and other drills. His hard work and dedication to meet these goals
paid off. He was one of three boxers to return home with a belt. Although he came away with two wins in both outings
it wasn't easy for Suniga. His finals victory over Brand Penson (Orlando, FL) was clearly a coin-toss. With lady-luck
on our side Penson ended up on the short end again (he was a runner up in 2007) and had to settle for 2nd place
once again.
Ramon Cardenas 85lbs
Ramon, like Contreras was traveling up to Kansas with only training and sparring experience on his resume. Six
months after having stepped into our gym for the first time Cardenas scored a victory in his first fight over Ruben
Rodriguez (Indio, Calif). Cardenas dropped a decision (due to lack of effort) to Carlton Gray (Capital Heights, MD)
the following day. Seemed like Cardenas was satisfied after his first win.
Jonah Duron 85lbs
Jonah like Cardenas & Contreras was going up to Kansas with only sparring & training experience. He was the one
boxer that SHOULD HAVE lost to his opponent. It was clear after the first round that Antwon Leach Jr (Tinley Park, IL)
was clearly the more seasoned boxer of the two. Although Duron finished strong (winning the 3rd round) it was not
enough to make up for the slow start. He dropped a 3-0 decision in his first fight.
Christian Santibanez 90lbs
Santibanez scored the MOST impressive victory of his amateur career against last years Silver medalist (PAL
National) in his first fight of the tournament. It was a toe-to-toe battle in which Santibanez used a knockdown (
courtesy of a solid right hand by Ramirez) as motivation and went on the attack after receiving the mandatory 8
count. Santibanez dominated the fight after the knockdown and scored the win. We were all feeling good after
watching Santibanez look some impressive in his first bout. We all figured he'd win the tournament... no luck! He went
back in to cruise control the following night and dropped a decision to Dean Gervanto (St. Louis). Frustrating loss for
all of us.
Cresencio Ramos 95lbs
Ramos scored a good win over Canadian opponent Liam Hughes (St. Catherines, ON) scoring a couple of 8 counts
in the 2nd round. The following day he was paired up against the self proclamined 60-2 boxer out of Dallas, Ernesto
"Pookie" Degollado. This was a tough one to bring back home. It was an all out war that had the crowds attention.
After a good first round crowds started gathering around their ring cheering on both boxers as Ramos stalked the
running Degollado all over the ring. A solid JAB landed flush on Degollado face in the 3rd that sent Degollado
mouthpiece flying out of his mouth. After a warning by the referee Degollado was back on his bike trying to avoid the
aggressive Ramos. Although many thought we had pulled it out int he last round Degollado was awarded the victory.
OFFICIAL SCORECARDS OF THE FIGHT. Thumbnails
Steven Duron 106lbs
Duron was the 2nd boxer to win the belt. With Duron there's not secret to his style. HE COMES TO FIGHT. That was
his style for all 4 fights and it worked. In his semi-finals match he was matched up against a foe from his hometown of
San Antonio, George Alva (Angels Boxing Club), RSC-2. He scored a very good win in the finals vs David Jasso
(Lincon Park, IL). During the last seconds of the 3rd round Duron discovered his JAB & some counter punching...
once he gets the hang of this he'll realize how much easier it can be to win bouts.
Ray Cordova 132lbs
Cordova will have to live with this loss for a while. Cordova was clearly the better boxer but let his nerves get the best
of him. With nothing to lose Ray was "forced" to go out and FIGHT in the 3rd round. He won the last round but had a
hard time making up for the first two rounds in which he let the 6 foot opponent Walter Holmes (Philadelphia, PA) use
his size to intimidate him and keep him at bay.
Richard Soto 132 lbs
Soto won his 2nd Ringside Title, following an impressive run in 2007. He was just as impressive this time around.
After a VERY tough bout in his second fight against Adrian Maravilla (Houston, TX) Soto realized how easy things
can be when you decide to be SMART instead of TOUGH. He scored a VERY impressive win against Marcus
Robinson (Toledo, OH) to claim his 2nd title.
Steven Escobedo 132lbs
Due to having two boxers in the same bracket (Ray Cordova & Richard Soto) Escobedo (who would have been the
3rd) will have to wait to make his debut in a local show.
Tokumbo Adenerian 165lbs
"Devin" lost a heart-breaker in the finals. Adenerian wasn't supposed to be up in Kansas with us. He suffered a cut
over his left eyebrow 8 days prior to the tournament. We took our chances entering the tournament hoping doctors
wouldn't DQ him and it paid off. He won 3 fights in row before dropping a VERY close decision in the finals. Although
"Devin" lost in the finals he did score a few "victories" up in Kansas that I hope help him later in life.
COACHES
Arturo Ramos III, Cresencio Ramos Sr. and we baptised two others, Paul Suniga Sr. & Pete Contreras Sr.
| Ringside Tournament 2008 |
TEAM
Pete Contreras Jr.
Matt Suniga
Ramon Cardenas
Jonah Duron
Christian Santibanez
Cresencio Ramos
Jesse Duron
Ray Cordova
Richard Soto
Steven Escobedo
Tokumbo Adeniran
Pete Contreras Jr.
Matt Suniga
Ramon Cardenas
Jonah Duron
Christian Santibanez
Cresencio Ramos
Jesse Duron
Ray Cordova
Richard Soto
Steven Escobedo
Tokumbo Adeniran
Overall I feel our boxers had a strong showing up in Kansas City this year. We took a total of 10 boxers, fought
23 times and came back with 17 wins. Richard Soto had to make some "minor" adjustments to claim this years
title. Matt Suniga had lady-luck on his side this year. Last year, she was in the opposite corner. Jesse Duron who
decided to stay at 106 and did fairly well despite his style.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: All the parents for making this trip a success, once again. All of the
SOUTHSIDE community for helping us with donations. Ramon Casto for his cash donation after learning we had
come up a bit short in a fund raiser. And Carlo Pruneda who despite having his first child months ago still found
the time and energy to help us make this trip.
23 times and came back with 17 wins. Richard Soto had to make some "minor" adjustments to claim this years
title. Matt Suniga had lady-luck on his side this year. Last year, she was in the opposite corner. Jesse Duron who
decided to stay at 106 and did fairly well despite his style.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: All the parents for making this trip a success, once again. All of the
SOUTHSIDE community for helping us with donations. Ramon Casto for his cash donation after learning we had
come up a bit short in a fund raiser. And Carlo Pruneda who despite having his first child months ago still found
the time and energy to help us make this trip.