A Review of Fight Night at Commerce Casino

By Lauren Rodriguez

(Photos by Alonzo Coston)

(Published Feb. 16, 2022)

The biggest sports weekend in Los Angeles included a night of knockouts in boxing at the Commerce Casino. Saturday, February 12th, Red boxing Promotions hosted their Evolution 4: The Road to Glory event, consisting of 11 matches.

The main event of the night was a showdown between bantamweight fighters, Sergio Lopez (4-7-4) and Adrian “Adee” Alvarado (5-0-1).

The moment the two warriors entered the ring, fans began roaring from their seats, making introductions barely audible.

Lopez, a 30-year-old Las Vegas native, immediately turned the bout into a street styled brawl. Alvarado, seven years his opponent's junior, constantly kept his legs moving as he played a game of tug of war with the score. Lopez, a heavy hitter and brawl style fighter appeared to be slowing down by the third round as Alvarado worked jab combos into his opponent's body. The pair fought with every ounce of energy left as neither were willing to accept defeat. The score of the close match was a disappointment for fans who had hopes of their favorite fighter winning. The bout was decided to be a majority draw with a split score of 59-55 and two 57-57.

In the co-main event of the night, Marc Misiura (2-3-1) went against Ernesto Mercado(4-0-0). The bout lasted until 2:58 of the first round, ending in a knockout for Mercado. Mercado remains undefeated.

In the super welterweight division, we had a four-round fight between Jesús Arturo Guzman (8-6-0) and Brandon Cruz (8-2-0). The action-packed bout had heavy hitters echoing throughout the event room. The two welterweights brawled from beginning to end as the two battled for a victory. In the third round, Cruz turned his beast mode on and became almost untouchable as he blocked hits from Guzman with counter shots. The bout was scored 40-36, Cruz as winner.

The super lightweight 4-round fight between Calvin Glover (0-4) and Armand Marmellian (2-0) was immediately action packed and over quickly. The bout ended at 1:52 of the first round, a knockout by Marmedelian. M emerges undefeated with two wins to his name.

In the women’s division, a 38 year old Elizabeth Tuani(1-6) faced 20 year old Merari Vivar (5-0).

The female warriors went head-to-head, neither having a lead on the other. By the third round, the two women applied more pressure and threw more weight into their punches. The third round the women sensed they had to do more than coast around the ring and began utilizing every angle to counter-attack. The bout was scored 40-36, a win for Vivar.

In the women’s super flyweight division, a 21-year old Stephanie Chavez (1-0) went against 48-year- old Dawn Mazarakis (0-2) in a 2 minute 4 round bout. The bout moved slowly, with Mazarakis being slightly more the aggressor in the first round. Both women appeared unable and skeptical of finding an opening into their opponent's body or face. By the third round it was clear that neither fighter wanted to throw a proper jab, instead fake jabbing and dancing their way around the ring. The last 60 seconds of the last round, Chavez cornered Dawn and landed a left shot to the face. The bout was scored 40-36, a unanimous decision naming Chavez as Victor.

The match between Mario Aguirre (3-15-1) and Jose Elias (3-0) was give and take. Elias had moments in the first round, swaying and almost knocking over Aguirre. Aguirre quickly doubled back and matched hands with his opponent. The bout went the full scheduled rounds and was scored 40-36, Elias as winner.

In the featherweight division between Larry Serrano (0-2) and Francisco Casillas (2-0), their fight was the shortest bout of the night. The moment the commencement bell rang, the two fighters engaged in a brawl. It was a right hand knockout by Casillas that quickly brought the match to a halt. The bout was called at 27 seconds of the first round, leaving Casillas undefeated.

The fight between Joshua Garcia (3-0) and Anel Dudó (1-3) was a one-sided battle. The first round foreshadowed an easy win for an aggressive Garcia. Garcia swiftly coasted through the round as a much slower Dudo appeared unable to lift a glove without being bombarded Garcias blows.

Although sporadic, attempts by Dudo were shot down instantly as an amped Garcia breezed off hits. The last 10 seconds of the bout turned into a brawl as the final bell approached. The bout was scored 40-36 and 39-37, a unanimous decision for Garcia as winner. Garcia remains undefeated with three victories.

The super flyweight division 4’round bout between Alexis Alvarado (4-1) and Kevin Nunez (0-1) had fans roaring. From beginning to end, Alvarado appeared to be leading the match. Alvarado instantly displayed heavier punches as a slow Nunez lacked connection to his opponent.

Alvarado constantly kept his hands moving, throwing slews of combos to Nunez head and body. By the third round, Nunez began using his lengthy arms to his advantage.

Nunez began increasing his connecting hits; however, lacked impression and precision.

The bout was scored 40-36, a unanimous decision for Alvarado as winner.

The first bout of the night was a super bantam clash between Jaime Rios (0-1) who made his pro debut against Nicholas Rubacaldo(1-1). The scheduled 4 round bout was cut short by Rubalcado. three right hooks by Rubalcado brought a knockout to his opponent Rios. The bout was called to a halt at 30 seconds of round 3, bringing Rubalcado his first knockout and victory.

The night of knockouts was the perfect start to a weekend of victories for Los Angelenos.