By Evan ‘Hertzy’ Hertzog, Photos by Michael V. Ornelas

Under Dawgs Boxing presents: Dawg Fights 3 “Guard Dawgs”

Pinnacle Event Center Federal Heights, Colorado

November 12, 2016

Referees: Stephen Blea, Rob Mullings

Judges: Carmen Beall, Jeannne McEvoy, Tyrone Short

Under Dawgs Boxing has officially returned to bring Front Range fight fans their third promotion of the year with “Dawg Fights III: Guard Dawgs”. Headlined by one of the most anticipated rematches in the Rocky Mountain Region, when Heavyweight Kenny Lemos (14-10-2) puts his Rocky Mountain Boxing HW Title on the line against New Mexico’s own Ronald Baca (8-3-1). Baca was able to power his way to a split decision win against Lemos in a 6 round non-title fight earlier this year. Tonight’s war is scheduled for 8 rounds and for all the marbles. Sitting in attendance it seems that this bout is most definitely the most anticipated of the evening. There are 7 other professional bouts scheduled for the evening that feature the likes of upcoming prospects, Gregorio Perez, Jonny Jarabek and two more heavyweights looking to put on a show, in Shawn Cooper and Randy McCarty. As I take my seat ringside I can feel that oh so familiar buzz, which can only mean one thing. It is time for leather to be thrown.

MAIN EVENT: Kenny Lemos (14-10-12) CH VS Ronald Baca (8-3-1) HW Scheduled 8 Rounds for the Rocky Mountain Regional Heavyweight Championship

Referee: Rob Mullings

Finally, the main event is upon us for this much-anticipated rematch between Kenny Lemos and Ronald Baca. Lemos lost to Baca in a six round non-title fight earlier this year. Baca looks to get his second win in the rivalry and put an end to it once and for all while also adding a regional championship to his resume. Both fighters show great respect as they embrace before their names are announced, knowing that they are about to engage in yet another war. Both fighters have more than enough power to end this fight with one punch and yet at the same time they both have chins that can allow them to go deep in any fight. Given that this is an 8-round heavyweight fight with added emotion, I can’t help but wonder if the more endurance fighter doesn’t come out victorious at the end of 8, if it goes that long. Don’t blink folks it’s the heavy hitting main event of “Dawg Fights III”.

Both men are very evenly matched size wise with Baca holding a slight edge overall. You can tell these two have been in there together before as both seem to be reluctant to strike, respecting the power that each fighter has. Lemos has landed the bigger shots to this point though but Baca answers back with a stiff jab. You would think with one win under his belt already, he would be the more confident fighter in the early going but Lemos has hurt him badly in the first and Baca is trying to survive and does, but barely. He was hurt badly in the last thirty seconds and this should be a huge boost for the Champion Lemos who is fighting someone who has beat him once before.

Can’t help but to think that the minute wasn’t long enough for Baca to properly recover and Lemos would be smart to attack but Baca has answered himself and has land some big shot early in the second showing everybody including myself that he isn’t as hurt as we all though he was at the end of the first. Baca is throwing at a much higher pace this round but he is catching a lot of Lemos arms. The crowd is literally split for one side to the other with each fan base trying rally and over chant their opposition. Baca is now slowing though and giving Lemos a chance to recover. Both fighters have let the other off the hook in my opinion. A low blow from Baca stops the fight for a moment halfway through the second round and both monsters look to catch their breath. The end of the second round is met with matching three punch combos from each. Toss up round but overall a much better round as far as improvement goes for Baca.

The third sees yet another flip flop as Lemos comes out and lands two straight three punch combos but unlike the first-round Baca isn’t ok with eating without answering with his own serving of power punching combinations.

As the fighters move to the ropes the Ring buckles. Crew rushed ringside but couldn’t get parts in place in time before the rest of the ring collapsed. Nobody was injured in this absolute freak accident but unfortunately the fight had to be called a no contest, leaving us still waiting and wondering just who will own this rivalry outright. Speaking with everyone involved, they are hoping for an immediate rematch to be set up in the coming days.

Bout Seven: Gregorio Perez (3-1-1) VS Emilio Hernandez (2-5) 137LBS Scheduled 5 Rounds

Referee: Stephen Blea

In the fight that I have been looking forward to the most we have Gregorio Perez taking on tough as nails Emilio Hernandez in what should provide a lot of fireworks. Perez has the height and length advantage but says screw it and attacks the inside. Both fighters land big time shots in their first two exchanges but Perez seems to be landing the cleaner shots. Hernandez touches the chin of Perez on two separate occasions but seems to have not fazed the young fighter. Hernandez is getting one shot off and eating three or four at a time now. Perez showing his now signature four punch combos on multiple instances. I will say one thing for sure. These two are throwing with the worst intentions of any of the fighters here this afternoon. Perez lands a stunning left hook as the first ends. Round one goes to Perez though as he shows the sharper punching through the round.

Perez starts the second willing to counter Hernandez. Hernandez has landed some very clean shots in this fight but we are starting to see just how good of a chin “EL Bebe” has as he enters his second straight slugfest after a fight of the year candidate in September against Ruben Jacoby. Hernandez needs to put more than one shot together to make this more competitive. Perez continues to punish the body of Hernandez with relentless elevator combos. The speed advantage is clear at this point but the toughness of Hernandez is keeping it interesting for the time being. Body shots seem to be catching up to Hernandez towards then end of the second as his shots are becoming more and more labored.

Questions of stamina on Hernandez’s end start to creep into the conversation at the start of the third. Perez has been the faster and far more punishing fighter thus far and his body work has been the biggest difference. Perez looks to finish in the first minute of the third as he unleashes 10 unanswered punches with Hernandez up against the ropes with over half of them landing but one must think that the punches his arms have absorbed in these exchanges in combination with the big-time body work done by Bebe, is going to make it very hard for him to hurt or put Perez away with a single punch which seems to be all he can get off at one time. Hernandez lands two of his best punches of the fight and his only real effective punches of the fight towards the end of the round but I do not believe it was enough to steal the round.

The fourth starts with more of the same. Perez waiting for Hernandez to enter range and then four five six punches follow for the dangerous “El Bebe”. Hernandez truly has shown great toughness in this fight and could possibly be catching a second wind but Perez can since it and stops the growing momentum with another signature body combo. Perez does need to be careful as he has ate a few big punches throughout the fight as he has been caught with his hands down. The fourth-round shows to be the best for Hernandez so far but was still out landed and out thrown on a large scale so it is hard to say if he will steal that one either.

The final bell has sounded and these two look to finish their fight of the night competition with a bang. Perez walks into multiple hooks but seems unaffected. Power punches land for both fighters and the action is at an all-time high in the final round of this great fight. Perez swings momentum back in his favor with a sharp over hand right and makes Hernandez think twice before entering the danger zone again. No doubt Hernandez is head hunting looking for the knockout which will probably be his only chance at leaving with a victory. Both fighters settle in the middle and throw. Perez unleashing another two sets of combos to finish the fight. Both fighters hug and show mutual respect at the final bell. Hernandez showed great heart and toughness but I think the overall speed and power of Perez was just too much in the end.

Judges: 50-45 50-45 AND 50-45 Winner by unanimous Decision Gregorio Perez

Bout Six: Corey Bernard (1-1) VS Chris Arguello (1-0-1) 162LBS Scheduled 4 Rounds

Referee: Rob Mullings

As we move closer to the end of our fight filled afternoon up North, we get set for the sixth fight of the evening featuring Under Dawgs now vet, Chris Arguello, coming off his first professional win in September at the Glitter Dome at “Dawg Fights II”. Bernard looks to be the older fighter of the two as he sways back and forth in his cammo trunks. Arguello is looking to build off his last fight but Bernard opens with a few really nice and tight combos on Arguello. Bernard is throwing crisp tight punches from head to body early. He also looks to hold the speed advantage. Arguellos’ corner starts calling for offense, they think he is waiting and assuming a defensive position too early and too often.

Bernard is more than happy to stay as the aggressor and as soon as Arguello builds enough confidence to go in on him he meets too many straight shots from Bernard. He is in survival mode as the ten second clacker sounds. Arguello looks beat up to the body and is going to need to get aggressive in the second round or this fight is in real jeopardy of being stopped by veteran referee Rob Mullings.

Second bell sounds and the corner of Arguello is pleading with their fighter to go to work. Arguello shows that he did listen as he pushes forward and throws the most effective punches he has thrown in the whole fight. Bernard recognizes this and isn’t as active as he was in the first. Arguello showing a lot of heart as he has come out to fight in the second. Bernard isn’t able to just dictate everything this round and it is showing. Arguello though did take a lot of body work in round one and he is starting to slow down towards the end of the second only throwing one shot at a time but he is the busier fighter. Just not landing like he would want to. Overall the second round was far closer than the first and showed promise for Arguello with the fact he could build a little bit of offense in a round that looked to be the end of the fight and a win for Bernard.

With that said I still had it 2-0 Bernard entering the second half of the fight. Bernard looks comfortable with just boxing and utilizing his jab in the first minute of the third round. Arguello is showing the most loose offense that he has shown in the fight. Giving us a read that he may know that he is down two rounds to none. Bernard is content with throwing short jabs and if he isn’t careful he could allow Arguello to build some momentum and actually do some damage. Big body shots land for Arguello and a great combo to end the third gives Arguello his most successful round of the fight in my eyes. Bernard will need to look to put on more of an offensive show in the fourth and final round though to wrap this up and avoid the dreaded draw in my opinion.

Final round starts with a show of respect from both fighters and then they start swinging. Both fighters know at this point that they are in a super close bout and both seem to be more active than any other round so far. Bernard is throwing more of those devastating body combos that gave him such an advantage in the first round but has somewhat abandoned since. Arguello is landing short hooks on the inside that cause the energy in the gym to pick up to a high buzz. Both fighters seem to be exhausted and this thing might be decided by sheer will power. They decide to spend the last minute in a phone booth giving this great Saturday afternoon crowd their money’s worth. They both end throwing until the final bell. Best fight of the night so far in my eyes. Not sure if Arguello did enough in the end to make up for the first two rounds but we shall see.

Judges: 39-37 39-37 AND 39-36 Give a unanimous decision victory to Corey Bernard.

Bout Five: Shawn Cooper (1-1) VS Randy McCarty (1-2-1) Heavyweight Scheduled 4 Rounds

Referee: Stephen Blea

Fight number five is one of the most anticipated fights of the night as heavyweights Shawn Cooper and Randy McCarty of New Mexico square off in this banger. McCarty looks to be loose for the fight as he graces us with a pre-fight dance performance and a big smile as referee Stephen Blea gives his last-minute instructions in the center of the ring.

Cooper stalks slowly forward and is stationary in his approach as Randy bops around the ring in his MMA boxing style. Cooper can force his way inside and land an occasional body shot but the action is few and far between at this point. The McCarty jab seems to be the most effective punch from either fighter thus far, excluding the three or four big body shots landed by Cooper throughout the first round. With the slow action and feeling out process in the first, it makes it hard to judge in my humble opinion.

Both fighters exit their respected corners in round two looking fresh and more willing to throw leather in the opening seconds. Cooper lands the biggest shots of the fight so far in the first forty-five seconds of round two. McCarty looks to slow the pace again with his movement. Picking and choosing at this point, for when to exchange and to jump in on the stronger puncher. Cooper is having success with his right hook as McCarty darts in occasion and it is by far his most effective offense up this point. Big straight right and a looping left hook land for Cooper and the crowd responds but will McCarty?

Randy is wearing it on his face as he heads to his corner at the end of the second. He is going to have to be more cautious when he dives into the action after circling because that is where he is letting shots land for Cooper.

Cooper is content with allowing McCarty to bring the action to him and isn’t jumping on him as I expected at the start of this tie breaking third round in my opinion. Cooper gets a second warning for a looping hook that moves too far south for Referee Blea’s liking. Cooper is now making the same mistake that could’ve cost McCarty the second round by leaping in without much caution and eats a few big shots himself. Fighters are starting to get in a rhythm at this point and are fighting the closest fight to a phone booth style that we have seen all afternoon. They exchange big shots at the end of the round but Cooper wasn’t busy enough in my eyes to capture the round. I have the fourth and final starting with two rounds to one lead for McCarty.

Cooper sets the tone in the final round by landing a nice short left hook but McCarty still fresh circles constantly popping his jab just trying to ride this road victory out. With that said Cooper isn’t content and starts unloading big power punches and hurts McCarty as he follows him all around the ring and punishes the out of town fighter with devastating hooks from body to chin. The last ten seconds shows a few more power shots land for Cooper. I must say I would not be upset if this thing ended in a draw. I do not envy the judges when it comes to great close fights like this one. The scores were as follows:

Beall: 39-37 McCarty

McEvoy: 39-37 Cooper

Short: 39-37 McCarty

McCarty wins VIA Split Decision

About an hour after this four-round banger, I was finally able to track down the New Mexico warrior Randy McCarty and get his thoughts on the road trip victory, Shawn Cooper as an opponent and how he felt about his own performance. The blue haired wild man gave this in response:

“Shawn hits hard to the body but I got him frustrated because I move a lot more than he expected so he started throwing everything from the hip so I could see everything which was nice but I got lazy in the third and kept my hands down by my chest and got caught with a GOOD hook to the jaw. He thought I was going to go down, I took like three or four more and hugged him until the ref said let go and I moved away. He is a solid fighter. He is newer than I am to the fighting world, this is my 20th pro fight, fifth boxing. It was a good win. I wouldn’t argue with the split decision. I felt like I gave more punches. I’m not going to knock that guy down he is fifty pounds heavier than me on average. It was a solid fight. I was faster than him and I frustrated him.

I knew I got the decision because the announcer came over and made sure its “Wreck It” Randy, right? Not Randy “Wreck It” right? I was like oh I won, so I was pretty confident that I was going to raise my hand. I would rather just keep fighting until one of us goes to sleep honestly I like the judges to not have to make a decision. My performance was decent I have some things I need to fix and his performance was ok, pretty much what I expected though.

I had a blast here (Denver) I had a lot of fun, I’m just thankful for getting to come out and fight. Man, I fought a big dude, and I appreciate him letting me fight him. Not a lot of people will be down with bringing a 42-year-old out to fight them. So, I’m just happy about all of it!”

Randy will be making his way back to the MMA cage for his next contest in just a few weeks in New Mexico. He encourages everyone to follow his Facebook to keep up with his fighting career. Something that I too will endorse right now. Go give this outstanding man a follow!

Bout Four: Pablo Gomez (3-4-1) VS Isaiah Barela (3-4) 200LBS Scheduled 4 Rounds

Referee: Rob Mullings

The fourth fight featured two big warriors and power punchers but the first and second rounds were dominated by Gomez as he was the much more active and effective puncher of the two.

Barela picked it up at the end of the second and tried to carry that over directly into the third round but he is getting picked apart and punished up against the ropes as he opened up a big cut across the left brow of Barela, forcing referee Rob Mullings to step in and have the ringside doctor step up to the apron and check out the cut mentioned. The ringside doctor ruled it as unsafe to continue and the fight was stopped in the first minute of round three giving Gomez his fourth professional win for the TLC boxer.

Bout Three: Marco Ambriz (Debut) VS Diego Nolasco (0-3) 142LBS Scheduled 4 Rounds

Referee: Stephen Blea

Two young professionals get set for battle in our third fight of the afternoon. These two will have quite the job in trying to keep the energy high in the building coming off that great scrap and knockout finish between Tucker and Jarabek.

Marco looks to establish his range early and Diego looks to close distance with straight power punches. The height advantage is a big one for Marco but he is allowing Diego to close distance without any jab resistance. That combined with a high chin gives the smaller fighter the early advantage in round one.

Ambriz seems content in fighting on the inside with the shorter, stronger puncher and I can’t help but think that his corner is going to address it at the break of round one. The last twenty seconds feature the best of the round for Ambriz as he has been able to land multiple three shot combos, finally building an offense of his own. Three big hooks and a lead uppercut land for Ambriz at the bell and maybe just maybe the momentum has changed course. Was it enough to steal the first round? Maybe, but there is just no telling folks.

As expected Ambriz is keeping more distance and started with a flurry of jabs until he had Nolasco flustered at which point he landed multiple uppercuts and bloodied Nolasco badly. As the round goes on Nolasco is gassing badly and his mouth is wide opened. He hits the canvas and raises to his feet but they are going to call the fight. His face badly beaten with his left eye almost closed Referee Stephen Blea pulls him in close and tells him that he has had enough.

Tough kid that landed good shots early but simply was worn out by the second round. Ambriz looked great in his debut but should focus on his reach advantage more in my opinion as his professional career moves forward. Good performance overall though.

Bout Two: Deartie Tucker (2-7) VS Jonny Jarabek (3-0) 144LBS Scheduled 4 Rounds

Referee: Rob Mullings

The second fight of the night features young undefeated fighter Jonny Jarabek and super tough Deartie Tucker. This fight is a long time coming as it was scheduled last month but is just now taking place on this beautiful Saturday afternoon in Federal Heights.

Jarabek is oozing confidence as he bops back and forth in his corner, styling his shimmering black trunks with gold trim and “Drama” across the front. Will we see ‘Drama’ now? Let’s go.

Deartie comes out and lets his jab work in the first twenty seconds. Jarabek is throwing the more powerful punches but Tucker seems to be catching Jarabek flush as he enters with his head somewhat high. The straight right from Tucker is already showing some work on Jarabek’s face. Both men throwing three punch combos halfway through the first. Jarabek looks somewhat surprised as he stares down his opponent. Tide changes as Jarabek land two three punch elevator combos bottom to top on Tucker. The last thirty seconds of round one features a great flurry by Jarabek as he backed up Tucker onto the ropes. Tough first round to judge. Both fighters look sharp and ready to exchange. Durability might be a big determining factor as round two starts.

Jarabek hurts tucker with a big left hook and another. Tucker stumbles but doesn’t fall. Jarabek can sense that Tucker is in trouble and he is. It seems like a five-punch combo ending with a right hook to the body drops Tucker but referee Rob Mullings waives it off as a push down. It is no secret though that Tucker is looking to survive and Jarabek needs to stay on top of him to get a second-round finish.

Tucker shows amazing heart as he is still here more than halfway through the round that saw him badly hurt in the first twenty seconds. Jarabek is willing to eat one to deliver three at this point and Tucker has all but abandoned his jab that was so effective in the first. Jarabek heads to his corner with all of the momentum going into the second half of the fight. Jarabek answered after coming out somewhat sleepy in the first with a great display of technique and power punching in the second, now its Tuckers turn to answer the adversity.

The third starts out with a very nice exchange that ends with a big right from Tucker that pulls out a smile and some words from the undefeated Jarabek. Jonny needs to be careful as he taunts with his hands down. Blood is flowing from the nose of Jarabek and he is now moving forward with his hands up. Jarabek lands a devastating combo that sends Tucker crashing to the canvas. He makes it to his feet at nine but hits the canvass again not long after, this time up at 8. He is badly hurt and Jarabek moves in for the kill. Tucker showing great heart lands a couple power shots in answer but isn’t able to avoid the touch of sleep from Jarabek as he was out on his feet tumbled over like a falling tower. The crowd explodes with excitement and applauds when Tucker is able to get to his feet but there is no doubt who the crowd favorite was in this one. Great fight. Great knockout. Jarabek ends it with a devastating KO.

I was able to catch up with young undefeated fighter after his first professional knockout and asked him to elaborate on his big win, his opponent and his future. He had this to say:

“I feel good, a little sore, he came out, he was a hell of a fighter, he came out and did what he was supposed to do but we came out and did what we trained to do. We have been wanting this fight for a little bit now, I just knew that he would bring the best out of me so I knew it was going to be war so I just went in there and listened to my corner.

My Dad who I believe to be one of the best boxing coaches in the world. I have an amazing strength and conditioning coach; he has a world title under his belt and Rick Lopez who has been with me since I was a little kid and of course my manager Chris (Maclean-Maestas). So, I just listen to these guys and do what we’re supposed to do. Nothing more. Nothing less.

First knockout, 4 and 0, I have been fighting a lot of good guys and every fight is a learning experience and now I’m starting to put it all together. It was a good feeling (the knockout) but as long as we get our hand raised that is all I care about, get our hand raised and move onto the next one. December 17th title fight in Nebraska versus Guy Smith, it is going to be a huge fight, this fight was to help me prepare for that one, it’s my first title fight so I’m excited.”

Check back with RMB to keep up to date on this upcoming title bout and the rest of this young guns career moving forward.

Bout One: Dean Risher (0-1) VS Andrew Dennis (Debut) 150LBS Scheduled 4 Rounds

Referee: Stephen Blea

Our first bout of the evening features Dean Risher (0-1) and Andrew Dennis who is making his debut. Both fighters seem to be matched up well as far as their physical statures are concerned. Risher showing possibly the most confidence we will see all night as he makes his way to the ring with “I’m a Barbie girl”, playing as his music.

The young fighters met in the center of the ring, touch gloves and size one another up. Dennis is stepping forward but not throwing. Risher is getting lose and is overwhelming the debut fighter. Two big right hands land and another referee Stephen Blea steps in and waives the fight off after seven consecutive over hand rights land punishingly on the chin of Dennis. Although the fighter showed good toughness by not hitting the canvas in his first professional fight, he was clearly outmatched and far too tentative with the busier fighter in front of him.

Risher looks to be extremely confident as he picks up his first win in his young professional career.

Overall it was a great afternoon of boxing in northern Denver yet again. The card saw it all, from first round knockouts, split decision victories, stoppage due to cut, great action and one freak collapsing of a ring.

Can’t wait for the next one! Always exciting at Under Dawgs events and surly worth the money! Until next time.