Chavira wins first, steals the show

GRANTS - The big fight night endured cancelled big name fighters and surpassed many expectations, thanks in part to one of the best fights the Cow Palace has witnessed in a while.

Manuel Chavira stepped into the cage for the first time against Luis Mendoza, currently 2-1. Mendoza was recently scheduled for a title fight after pounding opponents with 4-0 and 4-1 records.

With an unsuspecting crowd of 700, the battle began with fighters exchanging restrained punches to feel out the strength of each other.

Chavira grabbed the upper hand with a stunning jab that leveled Mendoza to the ground. Instinctively, Chavira went in for a choke, but his opponent's ground defense was too effective. After struggling to land a hold for almost a minute, the ten second warning came, much to the relief of Chavira.

When sent back to his corner, Chavira's brothers reminded him to stay calm and stay off the ground.

Chavira recounted his restrictions falling off when he received a stunning blow to the nose, followed by a chin shot that sent his mouth piece flying.

“I saw it coming and didn't do anything to stop it,” said Chavira. “After, I told myself if you can take that you can take this.”

Mendoze lowered Chavira and the two rolled around with the hometown fighter gaining the advantage in the corner closest to the main crowd.

After an arm hold was locked, Chavira began rocketing left handed blows into Mendoza's face.

“ I told myself, your not hitting him hard enough,” recalled Chavira, who then started breathing properly to land punches. “Then, he started talking to himself, saying, no, no. . . no.”

The fight was sent into the final round, both men bleeding from the face.

Mendoza searched for a take down option but was met with a Chavira kick. The two seemed content to stay away from more punishment, until Mendoza broke the ice. Chavira countered with a fist hit so hard that the crowd gasped.

Instead of a crumpled fighter, Mendoza smiled to expose a bloody mouth to match his face.

“I saw a little darkness in his eyes,” said Chavira. “after he smiled I thought I guess I'm gonna have to hit him harder.”

Mendoza stayed standing after a few punches and several knees to the body, an incredibly tough fighter, said Chavira.

The final round ended and the score cards collected, the hometown fighter was unanimously decided as the winner.

Chavira spent the last three months training with his brothers and an 80-pound punching bag. His moves came from the internet and skills were built with raw hard work.

Mendoza was stripped of the offer to a title fight and was replaced on the card with Chavira.

“I've seen a thousand fighters,” said Tusa Ortega, “and I know a good fighter when I see one.” The promoter said Chavira is on the path to becoming a professional in the sport.

After the fight and offer of a title shot, Joe Mandagaron, seventh degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and local gym owner, offered to help train Chavira.

Fight Night notes

• Promoter Ortega said there was no harm, no foul after personal and professional obligations arose with star local fighters Anthony Devargas and Anthony Sessions, that forced them to drop out of their fights.

• Ronney Herrera choked Jonah Maestas into submission 58 seconds into first round.

• Thomas Ybarra, 1-1, was defeated 30 seconds into the second round with a barrage of punches that resulted in a TKO from David Gonzales.

• Joe Ortiz, 2-1, was handed a TKO by Jamie Garcia, 1:14 into the first round. A controversial knee to the face was ruled not a disqualifying blow and the fight continued after a two minute timeout. The referee stopped the fight after big blows landed on Ortiz. Ortiz said afterwards he took the fight on a day's notice.

Sponsors for the fight and special thanks included the Lucero family, House of Pain, Cloe's Hair Design, Ronnie Ortiz, the Cibola Beacon, Badland's Burgers, the Cow Palace and Barry Lee at KMIN for emceeing the event.