As a ringside observer in the Academy Award-winning biopic “Raging Bull” quipped after Jake LaMotta bloodied and battered an opponent named Tony Janiro for ten painful rounds, “He Ain’t Pretty Anymore”! Neither is the boxer dubbed “Pretty Warrior”! Before a packed house and ESPN2 television audience, Mexico City’s Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (28-4-1, 14 KOs) made the first defense of his NABO Lightweight title by demolishing and defacing previously unbeaten Wilton “Pretty Warrior” Hilario (12-1-1, 9 KOs) in the main event at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. The bout was the main event telecast on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” and promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions..
“It was a tough fight. He is a very tough fighter, “Honorio credited Hilario. “It was a long night. His style was very awkward, bringing pressure and coming at different angles. I hit him a lot but I never felt like I connected on him very hard because of his awkward style. But I was pleased with my performance overall. I am ready for a title shot against anyone in the world at 130. I am looking for one of the champions to give me an opportunity”
In a performance exceeding his recent upset of undefeated prospect John Molina, Jr., Honorio completely schooled the talented, but less-experienced Dominican with an accurate and explosive arsenal of razor-sharp combinations to the head and body. Honorio was cruising right along until the determined Hilario, looking for some late knockout magic, started to find the range in the final two rounds as Honorio appeared to tire. But Honorio regained himself and the fight ended with a flurry after the bell and a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.
“I should have took him out,” Hilario, shaking his head, chuckled. “I took this fight for the experience and to show the world that I’m here and I can fight anybody, anytime, anywhere. It’s just a fight. I’ll learn from it and be better next time.”
In the scheduled eight-round television opener and co-feature, Rico “Sauvecito” Ramos (15-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended his NABO Youth Super Bantamweight title with an impressive fourth-round knockout of four-time world title challenger Cecilio “Boga” Santos (24-13-3, 14 KOs). Ramos, from Los Angeles, CA, dominated from the opening bell with combinations to the head and body and finished the Mexican challenger with a vicious left to the torso at 1:14 of the fourth round.
“I worked hard. I was looking for a first-round knockout,” admitted Ramos, who was making the first defense of his title against his most experienced opponent to date. “I just did what I had to do: take care of business and take him out!”
In the second televised contest, Michael “Silent Assassin” Dallas, Jr. (12-0-1, 3 KOs) silenced Mexican Fabian Luque (21-10-4, 12 KOs) at 2:58 of round one. The Bakersfield, CA native, who is managed by Jackie Kallen, remained undefeated as he took out his veteran opponent with a tremendous right hand to the body.
“All of the work I’ve been doing in the gym paid off tonight,” Dallas, who has been sparring with the great Manny Pacquiao, pointed out. “I knew the knockout would come. I just took my time and landed my shots.”
In the opening bout of the seven-fight card, John Molina, Jr. (19-1, 15 KOs) rebounded from his first career setback in spectacular fashion by destroying Mexican veteran Ricardo Medina (31-36-5, 17KOs). The Covina, CA junior welterweight sent Medina to the deck twice and referee David Mendoza mercifully called a halt to the bout at 1:40 of the opening round.
“I give Martin Honorio all the credit for winning our fight,” said Molina, who fought for 12 rounds with a bad case of the flu. “But at the same token, I’m feeling 100 percent now and I did what I had to do tonight to show everybody that I am back. And I did it in one!”
In heavyweight action: Alvaro Morales (4-6-5), of Las Vegas, NV, spoiled the pro debut of Ukrainian Sergey Karpenko (0-1), now living and fighting out of Big Bear Lake, CA, by four-round, split decision. One judge saw it 39-37 for Karpenko and the other two scored it the same, though, in favor of Morales.
In a scheduled four-round featherweight bouts, Walter “School Boy” Sarnoi (5-0, 2 KOs), of Monterey Park, CA, remained undefeated by posting a unanimous decision victory over Jerry Mondragon (3-2, 2 KOs), Fresno, CA. Finally, Ephraim Martinez (4-0, 1 KO), of Buttonwillow, CA, earned a hard-fought split-decision win over Ruffino Serrano (4-3), Santa Maria, CA in a four-round battle of bantamweights.
Honorio – Hillario On ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights Tonight
With a performance that resulted in a big win against undefeated hot prospect John Molina, Jr. back in November, NABF and WBO NABO Lightweight Champion Martin “El Brochas” Honorio showed the sellout crowd at Pechanga Casino & Resort and a worldwide audience on SHOWTIME a portrait of the boxer that he is and one determined to improve. On tonight’s main event of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” the 30-year old Mexican buzz saw will be back at Pechanga focused on another unbeaten fighter in Wilton Hilario. This time, with a win, he will stake a claim to a place among the top five fighters in the lightweight division.
“To me the focus of this next fight is not about being among the elite contenders. The focus of my fight tonight is to come out victorious against Hilario,” insists Honorio (27-4-1, 14 KOs). “Maybe after March 5th, after a win, that’s when I’ll sit there and think about whether I can be one of the top contenders in the world.”
The 12-year pro has won his last three fights while moving up to a more comfortable weight since his defeat at featherweight to then-IBF Champion Robert Guerrero. He earned that title shot by stringing five straight wins together, which included decisions over eventual WBO Featherweight titleholder Steven Luevano and Rogers Mtagwa.
Since moving up from featherweight, Honorio won the vacant IBA Super Featherweight Title with a fifth-round stoppage of Frankie Archuleta, followed by another in his debut at lightweight against Ricardo Medina, before a big decision victory over Molina his last time out.
Honorio strongly believes that a win tonight over another undefeated pro in Hilario will propel him into a top-five ranking.
“Tonight’s fight, with a victory, will confirm that I belong in that category,” Honorio said.
His promoter, Dan Goossen, shares Honorio’s opinion and is working hard to help him get there.
“Martin demonstrated his tremendous boxing skills against a young man in John Molina, Jr., whom we feel still has world championship potential,” Goossen pointed out. “By putting Martin in an ESPN main event against another unbeaten prospect in Wilton Hilario, it gives him another opportunity for a world championship fight.”
Tickets priced at $70 Premium Ringside (Rows 1-3), $60 (Ringside Rows 4-7), $45 (VIP rows 8-11) and $30 General Admission (Rows 12 and beyond) are available at the Pechanga Box Office from 10am to 10pm or by calling 1-877-2WIN and press 2. Doors open at 5:00 PM. First Bout is at 6:00 PM. Televised portion of the event begins at 7:00 PM (PT).