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BEST FIGHT(S) OF THE YEAR-
FOUR-WAY TIE! (53 votes each) |
1(TIE). Brady vs. Pacheco
October @ Sky Ute Casino: Joseph Brady goes to war with his belt on
the line against also-undefeated Andres "Panda" Pacheco from Pueblo, CO.
After 12 grueling rounds, Brady is stopped with body shots and the belt
goes to Panda.
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1(TIE). Gallegos vs. Aragon II
December @ the Kiva: In a rematch for the 140-pound state belt,
Shawn Gallegos and Tommy Aragon battle eight rounds with Gallegos
outboxing but Aragon landing bombs that nearly puts Gallegos down. A
close fight but judges score it unanimously for Gallegos.
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1 (TIE). Jaramillo vs. Holm I
August @ Sandia: Cross-town rivals Stephanie Jaramillo and Holly
Holm go six rounds for bragging rights on a Sugar Ray Leonard card.
Jaramillo can't make the adjustments and Holm outdoes her for the
decision.
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1 (TIE). Jaramillo
vs. Holm II
October @ Sandia: This time, Jaramillo makes all the necessary
adjustments and the fight is close. Judges score it a draw despite the
crowd rallying behind Jaramillo.
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5.
Tapia vs. Contreras
September @ Tingley: 5-time world champion Johnny Tapia returns to
Albuquerque after a 10-month layoff for an enjoyable scrap against game
Carlos Contreras of Juarez. |
6.
Yguado vs. Losoya
August @ Isleta: A four-round
war between Albuquerque's Fernando Yguado and Las Cruces' Colbert "the
Pittbull" Losoya. Losoya pressures Yguado and comes close to a knockout
win when Yguado pulls himself together in the last round, landing a
crippling body shot that puts Losoya down for the count. |
7.
Chavez vs. Mathiason
June @ Roswell H.S: In a battle of female pro debuters, Yvonne
Chavez and Liz Mathiason go three non-stop rounds before Mathiason's
stamina runs out, awarding the TKO win to Chavez. |
8.
Lazcano vs. Johnston
September @ Las Vegas: El Paso's Juan Lazcano proves he's the real thing by
stopping former world champion Stevie Johnston. Retains #1 position. |
9.
Gallegos vs. Aragon I
August @ Las Vegas, NM: Shawn Gallegos and Tommy Aragon go at it for
the state lightweight belt. Aragon pulls his shoulder and Gallegos
outboxes for the win. |
10.
Gallegos vs. Romero
April @ Sandia:
Shawn Gallegos
takes on Jacob Romero for lightweight bragging rights. Gallegos is
aggressive and puts on a show, beating the counterpuncher Romero to the
punch for the unanimous decision. |
|
Notes: An
amazing four-way tie. After I eliminated the double-votes submitted by
several "enthusiastic" fans, it came down to exactly 53 votes apiece for
the top four. |
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WORST FIGHT OF THE YEAR |
1. Romero vs. Mendoza
May @ Sandia: 2-time world champ Danny Romero returns with a less-than-inspiring performance against journeyman Trinidad Mendoza for the IBA superbantamweight belt; wins a decision and loses the crowd.
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2.
Large vs. Martinez
August @ Sandia:
Not far behind
Romero-Mendoza--Earl Large of Southern N.M. comes off a two year layoff
to take on pro debuter Martin Hernandez, who takes the fight on 24 hours
notice, sweating off 10 pounds in the process. For four rounds, Large
dances around like a kangaroo while Martinez slowly plods ahead,
uninspired. |
3.
Valdez vs. Salazar
April @ Camel Rock: In his only fight of
the year, Espanola's Tony Valdez beats up on inexperienced pro debuter
Matthew Salazar with a first round KO. |
4.
Montoya vs. Rivera
August @ Rio Grande H.S.:
In his only fight of
the year, Lee Montoya beats the tar out of a last-minute replacement,
Israel Rivera, with zero experience. |
5.
Archuleta vs. Juarez
May on Shobox:
In his only fight of the year, Frankie Archuleta is outgunned by
undefeated Olympian Rocky Juarez. TKO in the 6th. |
6. Rodriguez vs. Jefferson
April @ Camel Rock: Unbeaten heavyweight David Rodriguez beats up on overmatched Ricky Jefferson. 1st round knockout. |
7.
Gallegos vs. Tidwell
February at Sky City: Gallegos starts the year with 1st round knockout the less-than enthusiastic Tyree Tidwell. |
8.
Aragon vs. Tidwell
April at Cowboys: Tyree Tidwell
returns, only to get battered around by Tommy Aragon. |
9.
Jaramillo vs. Falfi
May at Sandia:
Stephanie Jaramillo beats up on unprepared and overmatched Mimi Falfi.
1st round TKO. |
10. Rodriguez vs. Gary Butler
August at Rio Grande:
Rodriguez beats up another unprepared heavyweight for another first
round KO. |
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WORST DECISION/ROBBERY OF THE YEAR |
1.
By a wide margin: Jaramillo vs. Holm II
Judges score
it a draw but fans see it for Jaramillo. |
2.
Payne vs. Guereca
Bernard Guereca is on his way to stopping Vernon Payne when the fight is
stopped on a minor cut, awarding the technical decision to
still-undefeated Payne. |
3.
Romero vs. Mendoza
Many
spectators see Mendoza beating Romero. |
4.
Lopez vs. Pogline
Marc Lopez
makes his pro debut in Roswell against 0-2 Tyler Pogline from Denver.
Judges give it to Lopez but most see it for Pogline. |
5.
Gallegos vs. Aragon II
Judges give it
to Gallegos but many think Aragon deserved the win. |
