Mari's Minute

Xtreme Muay Thai Challenge III

Recap \ Results

April 20, 2007

The Quiet Cannon Montebello Country Club

901 Via San Clemente

Montebello, California

A great night of action at the third installment of the Xtreme Muay Thai Challenge with nine fights (one of

which was a pro boxing match) and a Jr. sparring exhibition bout - Here is how it all went down.

Fight 1

Sheldon Gaines wins by TKO (knee) at 1:05 of the first round over Chris Minor

Gaines starts the round immediately with a punch but Minor counters well. After a little back & forth action,

Gaines is able to land with a knee to the mid-section and Minor drops to his knees. The referee steps in for

the count and Minor indicates he is unable to continue.

Fight 2

Priscilla “La Patrona” Solano wins a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) over Noelani Carol

Carol connects with the overhand right and the battle begins for these two ladies - Solano was able to

connect with right and left straight punches but Carol was able to counter with kicks and punches of her

own. In the second round, Carol was able to get in some good punches that moved Solano’s head back

but Solano still pressed forward and landed with some punches that appeared to do more damage. When

they tied up, Solano was able to land a series of knees. The third round was all Solano as she consistently

punched away. Although Carol was able to connect with a few good punches, Solano kept pressing,

punching away, landing with more accuracy giving her the round in my eyes. By the way, the referee (Doc

Hamilton) fell in the second round as he was separating the fighters - Doc took one for the team:-)

Fight 3

Ando Janoyan wins a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over Pablo “The Punisher” Ramirez

They touch gloves and Janoyan immediately goes to work and throws some strong punches that connect. A

much more patient Ramirez moved around and was able to connect with strikes of his own. Round one

ended with a series of punches being exchanged (with one or two strikes after the bell rang). It was a great

second round for Janovan as he was able to strike with more consistency but got a little careless towards

the end of the round - Ramirez was able to connect with a strong high kick & punch combo plus some

partially blocked knees. Round three saw even punching by these two warriors. Ramirez was able to end the

round with a knee and spinning back fist that got the fans cheering. Ramirez appeared the more accurate

puncher but Janovan showed more power in his strikes which was just good enough for the win.

Fight 4

Kenny Finister wins by knockout (knee \ strikes) at :28 of the third round over Eric Sandahl

Finister was able to connect with low kicks and knees most of round one - Sandahl wasn’t able to land any

clean shots or hurt Finister in any way. Sandahl took a ref count after receiving a strong knee and a series of

punches that pushed him against the ropes but was able to continue. Early in round three, Finister was once

again dominant with his knees and drops Sandahl for a 10 count - Sandahl was unable to continue.

Fight 5

Shane Obluski wins by TKO (cut) at :49 of the third round over Chris Mercado

Obluski connects right away with some punch and kick combos - one after the other (as soon as the bell

rang starting the round). Mercado had a hard time getting a punch in and when he did, it was usually

blocked. Mercado was more aggressive in round two and was able to connect with a high kick and punches

that slowed Obluski down just a bit - but not enough. The second round ended with a series of strikes that

pushed Mercado against the ropes and now a bloody Mercado would have to start the third round with a cut.

After receiving a series of strikes, the referee stops the fight to have the doctor check the cut on Mercado -

the doctor determines Mercado is unable to continue.

Fight 6

Federico Lopez wins by knockout (left hook) at :15 of the first round over Mark Talamantes

What a quick win - All it took was two punches. Lopez threw a right and left hook that connected perfectly

on the chin and knocked out Talamantes - Referee stops the fight as Talamantes is unable to get back on

his feet.

Fight 7 - Pro Boxing Bout (4 Rds x 3 min)

Mitch Waters wins a unanimous decision over Jacob “The Rattlesnake” Chavez

First round - Waters starts by connecting with a left hook - Chavez counters with series of right, left combos

but most of them blocked by Waters. Towards the middle of round one, Waters connects with right, left

combo that pushed Chavez back - Chavez threw a couple of body shots that were blocked by Waters ending

the round. In the second round, Chavez was able to connect a little more to the body but Waters punching

and accuracy gave him the round. A slow start to the third round but once again, Waters' punch combos

connect throughout the round. The last and final round I give to Waters. He was able to dominate and control

the round with his punches.

Fight 8

Ed Tarverdyan wins a unanimous decision (39-37, 39-37, 39-37) over Mario Andelic

Great battle between these two fighters. Tarverdyan was able to show his speed and accuracy in round one

when he connected with a combo of high kicks followed by some punches. Although Andelic was able to

counter with strikes, Tarverdyan dominated the round. In the second round, both fighters started taunting

each other as they connected with clean shots - Andelic came in pressing a little more and striking, slowing

Tarverdyan down for a moment. And although Tarverdyan slowed down, he was still connecting with clean

strikes. In the third, Tarverdyan was able to connect with a couple of knees and Andelic countered with

punches - the round ended in an exchange of punches. The taunting continued in the fourth and final round

after Tarverdyan connected with a kick. Andelic, taunting, motioned for Tarverdyan to give him more as if the

kick that connected didn’t hurt him. Although Andelic was pressing and connecting with some strikes,

Tarverdyan showed to be a faster fighter. Tarvedyan was able to dominate through his more damaging

strikes for the win.

Fight 9

Doug Raver wins a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) over Aaron Acosta

The first round started with both fighters exchanging kicks but Acosta was able to follow them up with

punches - That should have given Acosta the round. In the second, Acosta once again used his effective

punching from round one while the “Anti-tank Missile Sit Ramasoon” Raver countered with his low & high

kicks that he demonstrated in the first. Raver was given a warning after a low kick to Acosta’s groin but

there was no point deduction. Going into the third round, Raver continued to work with his kicks but Acosta

was able to block most of them. Acosta, working the punches, was able to connect better in this round but

not enough to take it. Raver’s persistence and constant strikes dominated the round to pull out the win.

Until next time,

Mari

(4/21/07)