[Editor: Paul Cruz is from Terrell, Texas and now resides in Dallas. Paul obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2006 and currently works in software development

Paul used to watch boxing with his dad as a child, although he didn't quite understand it, he was glued. Paul added, “We always watched Friday Night Fights together. In college, I gave amateur boxing a try, and it is tough. You have to live it to truly understand how much dedication and training it takes to be a fighter. I enjoy watching and reading about boxing, so I wanted to take an active role in the sport, and write about it. I am a first time writer by luck.” We at North Texas Boxing feel it is our luck Paul found us, his first article will attest to his keen observation & writing skills.]

Event headliner and Duncanville native, Luis Yanez (4-0) dazzled with speed as he faced a tough Mexican opponent in Samuel Gutierrez (5-6-1). The first round was dominated by ‘The Latin Legend’ Yanez as he used speedy combinations in the center of the ring while Gutierrez continuously stalked Yanez. Yanez was beating Gutierrez to the punch with swift ring movement and crisp, accurate punches. Gutierrez continued to stalk Yanez in the second, but Yanez was tapping that drum with lighting fast 4, 5, and 6 punch combinations which left the confused Gutierrez wondering what hit him. Yanez began to grit his teeth to keep Gutierrez honest as he was being pressured into the ropes. Close in-fighting tells the story of the fourth round as Gutierrez stepped on the gas and continuously crowded Yanez along the ropes. Gutierrez landed a few solid shots to Yanez’s body, but Yanez countered back with a stiff straight left hand to the head of Gutierrez. Yanez used slick head movement and slipped punches in the fifth causing Gutierrez to miss. But Gutierrez continued to plow forward hoping to land a telling blow on Yanez. Both fighters traded combinations in the center of the ring as Yanez continued his precision attacks to the head and to the body. A confident Yanez sensed his lead in the bout and grinned at the corner of Gutierrez just seconds before the bell. In the final round, Yanez used his quickness and foot speed to dance circles around Gutierrez and deliver a 5 punch combo, focusing the left hook to the body. Gutierrez landed a powerful right hand to the head of Yanez hoping to turn the tide, but it was too late. Yanez put on a brilliant display of speed, timing, and sharpness to win a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 60-54. 

In the upset of the night and up to now the upset of the year, one of the top lightweight prospects in Dallas, Hector Beltran (12-2) faced off against Justo Vallecillo (6-10) fighting out of San Antonio. The first round was an intense feeling out round with not a lot of action from either fighter. ‘Handsome’ Hector listened to his corner by using quick jabs and feints, and caught Vallecillo was one strong straight right hand to punctuate the round. The second round began as Beltran turned southpaw and worked his straight right jab to the forehead of Vallecillo. Vallecillo moved forward cautiously trying not to walk into any quick combinations from Beltran. Beltran eventually backed up Vallecillo to the ropes and landed a three punch combination. A lively Vallecillo came out of his shell, applying pressure on Beltran to start the third round. Vallecillo rallied back landing a left uppercut and right hook to the chin of Beltran, but Beltran took it well and landed a big left hook of his own. The action was heating up and both fighters had their moments as they backed each other into the ropes, trying to take control of the contest. Both fighters finished the round with determination to finish each other. Vallecillo continued to stalk Beltran with brute force in the fourth round as Beltran tried his best to neutralize the attack with his left jab. A quick right hand from Vallecillo to the head of the unbalanced Beltran caused him to fall to the canvas. The valiant Beltran beat the count but appeared weathered and backed away into a neutral corner. Vallecillo rushed in for the kill and captured his prey with a finishing left hook to the body. The battered Beltran narrowly beat the count, but the bout was waived off by referee Laurence Cole. Vallecillo earned his meal with a stunning upset victory in an exciting fight. Time of the TKO was 2:56 in round 4. With it being the season for love, Beltran surprised everyone in attendance as he proposed to his girlfriend at center ring and she said yes, of course. Congratulations Hector!

The third bout featured Brent Urban (4-2) from Dallas versus Anthony Greeley (7-32-3) from Monroe, LA in a cruiserweight shootout. ‘The White Ghost’ Urban used his patience and timing to trap Greeley on the ropes in the first round. Urban landed thudding double right hooks to the head and to the body as Greeley failed to engage. Urban continued with stiff jab-straight right combinations and forced Greeley to the ropes throughout the round. Greeley only seemed to fight when his back was on the ropes. Urban began the second round where he left off stalking Greeley around the ring with 1-2 combinations. Greeley shocked the crowd for a moment when he landed a thunderous punch to the chin of Urban, but Urban recovered quickly. Urban began to pummel Greeley throughout 3 of the 4 ring corners. Urban landed a big left hook, followed by a right hook to the body, forcing Greeley to take a knee. The clearly battered Greeley narrowly beats the count, but referee Robert Chapa calls a halt to the bout as Greeley’s corner waved the white towel to surrender. The time of the TKO was at 2:45 in the second round. In their fourth bout together as opponents, Ross Brantley (2-14-1) and Bryant Butler (3-3-1) decided to declare once and for all, who was the better heavyweight. They each have a win over each other, with their first bout ending in a draw. The Fort Worth native, Butler began the fight by landing a hard shot, rocking Ross early. Ross recovered and focused his quick right hand to Butler’s chin. Brantley continued to jab and trapped Ross on the ropes, closing the round with a flurry of punches. The second round continued with Ross throwing his right hand and jabbing to keep Brantley at bay. Both fighters exchanged punches at close quarters, but Ross was beating Brantley to the punch. Bryant again closed the round with a flurry and a thudding right hand on Ross’ chin. Bryant pressed the action in the third round as he continued to work his jab, desperately trying to land a clean punch on the chin of Ross. Ross appeared to be building momentum as he landed the overhand right more frequently. Bryant once again finished strong by crowding Ross in the corner with a barrage of punches. The final round began with Ross being stunned with a powerful right hand from Brantley. With a burst of energy, Ross began to bob and weave the quick attack of Brantley and forced Brantley into the ropes. This action packed fight ended with all guns blazing from both fighters as they let their hands go. Butler earned a majority decision victory over the fighter from Dallas, Ross. Two judge’s scorecards read 39-37 for Butler, with the other as 38-38. Amazingly, Brantley took this fight on two days notice.

Beginning the evening, Chad Johnson (1-1) from Oklahoma City, OK faced Luke Vaughn (0-1) from Aledo, TX in a four round bout. At the opening bell, Vaughn was aggressive throwing a stiff jab. Johnson was patient and landed powerful body shots on Vaughn. Johnson landed a stunning straight left hand to end the first round. In the second round, the roles were reversed with Johnson stalking and landing clean body shots on Vaughn. A small cut was opened over the left eye of Johnson. With Johnson landing effective counters, Johnson dropped Vaughn twice in the round. But Vaughn survived the assault and was determined to take the fight to Johnson in the third round. Vaughn’s corner was screaming at him to press the action, but appeared gassed and Johnson continued his timed attack hoping for the finish. The courageous and very game Vaughn gave his best effort to land a big shot on Johnson in the fourth but missed with wide, winging shots. Johnson stuck to his jab-straight left combination and patiently backed up the bloodied Vaughn to a victory by unanimous decision. All 3 judges scored the fight 40-34 for Johnson.