Garza Mancini

Ernesto Garza is Back, and is Ready For Eight

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 Columbus, OH (June 13th, 2016)– In the main event of a five bout pro boxing card in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday evening, June 10, 2016, promoted by ex-boxer Troy Speakman, featherweight prospect Ernesto Garza of Saginaw, Michigan, returned to action after a 10 month layoff with a unanimous six round decision win over game but outmatched Hakeem Watkins of Whitehall, Ohio.

 

Garza, now 7-1 with four knockouts, was pushed, pulled and shoved to the canvas at least six times, enduring his taller opponent’s constant holding and bullying attempts at intimidation. After two rounds, Garza began cutting off the ring and breaking down Watkins, 5-2 with five knockouts, down with body and head combinations. Watkins came into the match with a five knockout win streak, including knocking out Jose Luis Ramirez Jr., son of the former world champion Jose Luis Ramirez Jr. Garza was a step up in class for Watkins, who appeared exhausted after four rounds. Twice, a Watkins corner man entered the ring after the start of rounds five and six to attempt to ‘fix’ loose trunks on Watkins, in an attempt to buy time. Since entering the ring during the bout is illegal for any corner person, Ohio native Watkins should have been disqualified. He wasn’t.

 

Late in the sixth round, Watkins got hit by a power shot from Garza and headed to the canvas, somehow pulling Garza down with him. The referee didn’t buy the ‘takedown’, and began counting over Watkins, who beat the count. Near the end of the bout, Watkins, in serious trouble from head shots which Garza landed, struggled to hang on for the final bell but survived. If this bout were an eight rounder, Garza would have knocked Watkins out. Even stranger, one of the scorecards had it only 57-56 for Garza, who appeared to win every round except the first. In addition, at least two points justifiably should have been taken away from hometown Ohio boy Watkins for pushing Garza to the canvas six times.

 

According to Garza’s promoter, Eddie Jaafar of Detroit, Garza will be advanced to eight round bouts next, and a vacant Michigan State title bout at 126 pounds could be in the works for Garza’s next bout, with a United States vacant title bout to follow early next year if Garza continues to fight regularly in his return.

 

Result: Ernesto Garza III Win 6 Hakeem Watkins, Featherweights, Main Event Bout

Scoring: 59-54, 58-55 57-56 for Garza.  Watkins was knocked down in the sixth round

Ohio Boxing Commissioner Ray ‘Boom-Boom’ Mancini was in attendance at ringside

Share

COMMENTS

COMMENTS