June 12, 2017

Brandon Rios Knocks Out Aaron Herrera

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña

Photos by Cynthia Saldaña

Sunday evening at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (34-3-1, 24 KO’s) entered the ring for the first time since his grueling fight at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas against Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley 19 months ago. Rios came in rejuvenated and looked to impress fans as he took on the always tough Aaron Herrera (23-7-1, 14 KO’s). From the opening bell fight fans were treated to an all out war as both fighters exchanges heavy blows, but it was Rios who stayed one step ahead of his opponent. Rios was hit with some very hard shots by Herrera but never seemed to be hurt. Rios eventually began to break down Herrera with solid body shots and big combinations. In the seventh Rios caught Herrera with right hand to the body that forced Herrera to take a knee. Referee Jack Reis began the count and eventually counted out the battered Herrera who had absorbed seven rounds of solid punishment by “Bam Bam” Rios. After the fight Rios stated “Next time I get in there, I’ll be better, you’ll see more progress each time I get out there. I still have my same style but I’m adding some more athleticism and head movement to it. I felt like I did well in there. This is a new beginning and a new chapter in the book that I’m writing.” said Rios. “We’re ready to move forward from here. I’m ready for the next challenge.”

In the co-main event Junior welterweight Mario Barrios (19-0, with 11 KO’s) remained undefeated as he took on Jose Luis Rodriguez (21-10, with 12 KO’s). Barrios used his reach and popped his jab through much of the fight, but it was Rodriguez who landed heavy shots on the inside. Rodriguez seemed to catch a second wind in the fifth but Barrios quickly regained the momentum landing hard counters as Rodriguez tried to come inside. In the 7th Barrios caught Rodriguez with a solid combination followed by a devastating left to the body that floored Rodriguez at the 37 second mark of the round. Rodriguez rolled around in pain as he was counted out by referee Zachary Young. After the fight Barrios stated “ I knew I had to keep my distance, he was tough and kept coming forward, but when I caught him with that liver shot I knew that I hurt him”.

To open up the television portion of the card the hard hitting Jose Miguel Borrego (13-0, 12 KO’s) took on the local fan favorite Kevin Watts (11-2, 4 KO’s). Watts started out using great ring generalship as he out boxed and frustrated Borrego throughout the early rounds. Then in the forth Borrego cut off the ring as he landed a huge uppercut hurting Watts. Borrego continued the onslaught of punches and dropped Watts midway through the round. Watts beat the count but Borrego smelled blood and pinned Watts in the corner landing at will forcing referee Jack Reis to step in and call a halt to the bout at the 2:42 mark of the fourth.

Other bouts included

Juan Funez (9-0-1, 3 KO’s) vs Edgar Garcia (5-12-1, 1 KO) Super Lightweight, Result: Funez wins by 2nd round TKO, Funez moves to (10-0-1, 4 KO’s)

Eridanni Leon (4-2-1, 1 KO) vs Isaac Freeman (3 -4-1, 3 KO’s) Welterweight, Result: Eridanni Leon wins by unanimous decision, Leon moves to (5-2-1, 1 KO)

Robert Marroquin (25-4-1, 19 KO’s) vs Jonathan Perez (37-19, 29 KO’s) Lightweight, Result: Marroquin wins by 4th round KO