Perez Sends Weaver Fans Home Unhappy in Inglewood
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Perez Sends Weaver Fans Home Unhappy in Inglewood INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — What was supposed to be a banner night for one of the famed boxing families in Southern California history slowly unraveled over the last two days and ended in dramatic fashion Thursday night at the Hollywood Park Casino. The three fighting brothers of former heavyweight champion Mike Weaver were positioned to make an improbable comeback, but it was not to be. Floyd, Troy and Lloyd Weaver, identical triplets, who began their pro boxing careers way back in 1985, had hoped to turn back the clock in their three advertised featured bouts. However by start time, “Pretty Boy” Floyd would be the only member of the clan left on the bill. Floyd Weaver (18-10-3, 11 KOs) of Diamond Bar, California began the scheduled four-rounder as a ball on fire, quickly catching Santiago Perez (11-3-2, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Copala, Guerrero, Mexico with an overhand right and scoring a knockdown with the resulting combination. Perez, 153.2, tried clinging to Weaver, 153.6, once action resumed, but the veteran managed to get space and land a short right. Ever so slightly, the momentum began to change as Perez caught Weaver off balance with a right midway through the first. Weaver was still a frantic offensive-minded force as Perez looked to block as many blows as possible. However, just before the end of the round, Perez, who had regained his footing, landed a hard right hand. The crowd may have noticed it was a clean punch, but little did the pro-Weaver crowd know the fight had completely shifted in favor of the Mexican. Early in the second, a right hook drops Weaver directly on to his face. Weaver rose on unsteady legs as many in the crowd took a deep breath. Weaver, still wobbly, traded for a moment before another right hurt him against the ropes. Perez continued to flurry until Weaver slumped over, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:37 of the second round. It would appear to be the end for Floyd Weaver, who had last fought in April of 2007. Weaver has now lost six of his last nine outings, which incredibly dates back to 1998. Floyd was walked to the ring arm-in-arm by his two identical brothers, both of whom had been scheduled to appear on the card Thursday night. Troy Weaver (20-8-2, 20 KOs) of Diamond Bar was to have fought Billy Bailey (10-11, 4 KOs) of Bakersfield, California in another four-rounder. However, at yesterday’s weigh-in the Weaver camp withdrew from the fight. According to a member of Team Weaver, they had signed to fight in a 174-pound bout. Bailey, who replaced Alex Armenta, had a contract set for 184. Troy Weaver was last seen in the ring in September of 2004. Lloyd Weaver (10-7, 6 KOs) of Diamond Bar was to have met journeyman Juan Pablo Montes De Oca (9-19-2, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of San Miguel Zinacantepec, Estado De Mexico, Mexico in a four-round middleweight bout. However just before the first bell Thursday, the ring announcer announced Weaver was a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury. Word ringside was that there was something that looked off about Weaver’s jaw, and the California State Athletic Commission doctor pulled the fight. Lloyd Weaver was last seen in action in June of 2001. Jesus Arael Adame (1-0) of Los Angeles made it through his first pro bout and claimed a four-round majority decision over Manuel Machorro (0-4) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a free-swinging, but somewhat amateurish affair. Adame, 118.8, landed the harder shots, but left several openings for the determined Machorro, 120, to exploit during the twelve-minute contest. Adame ran across the ring throwing to begin the bout, quickly pressing Machorro against the ropes. To his credit, Machorro weathered the storm and took Adame’s punches well. Eventually Machorro turned Adame around and worked over the young local against the ropes. The second round was fairly even, as both charges threw punches in bunches, but failed to put their body behind many of their offerings. The third was all “Chuy” Adame, as he landed clean with several wild swings. Machorro found his back against the ropes for much of the round and could not turn Adame as he had done earlier in the contest. Adame remained the busier and more successful of the two in the fourth, most notably catching Machorro as he attempted to utilize a feint. In the end, one judge had the fight even, 38-38. That score was overruled by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 for the winner Adame. Brandon Adams (2-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles scored an impressive fourth-round knockout of Miguel Lopez (2-1, 1 KO) of Oakland, California in the night’s opener. Lopez, 153.6, got off to a good start in round one, as he pressed Adams, 155.8, to the ropes and used his strength to control the pace. Adams took over the fight in the second, as his body work began to take effect on Lopez. Adams buzzed Lopez in the third with a right that forced the Oakland native to hold on the inside. Adams was the busier and more effective fighter in the round and carried the momentum into the fourth. Lopez came out fighting, forcing a heated exchange in the early going. Again Adams stunned Lopez on the inside which eventually set up a clean overhand right that scored a knockdown. Lopez went down hard, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to stop the bout without a count. Time of the stoppage was 2:09 of the fourth. Promoters Garcia Promotions and Big Champion Promotions plan to bring another card to the Hollywood Park Casino on June 9th. They expect to announce the main event sometime next week. Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected]..