by Sean Malone of North Texas Fisticuffs

The throng of fans in attendance got their money’s worth in four all-action bouts.

Corey Washington and Abel Hernandez face off.

Foxx68 Sports and Escapade are hoping to bring monthly boxing cards to the fight hungry fans here in the DFW Metroplex. Friday night they staged their inaugural Viva La Raza promotion at the Escapade Plaza in Dallas. Though the card was hampered with a bevy of issues that resulted in a two hour delay to the night’s fights, the throng of fans in attendance got their money’s worth in four all-action bouts.

In the evening’s main event welterweight Calvin Pitts of Grand Prairie gutted out an eight round split decision over Deon Nash of Dallas. Both fighters were slick boxers and each utilized a sharp boxing acumen and fleet footwork to nullify each other’s attack. This was the type of fight that boxing aficionados can appreciate with subtle nuances that may have been lost on more casual fans. In the end, it was Pitts’ more active punch output and noticeable aggression proved to be the difference in the eye of two of the three judges’ eyes.

Scores were not announced. With the win Pitts improves his record to 4-11-1, 1 KO; Nash falls to 5-9, 1 KO in defeat.

In what was hands down the fight of the night, Fort Worth based middleweight prospect Corey Washington looked impressive in winning a four round unanimous decision over Abel Hernandez of Dallas. Early in the fight it appeared that Hernandez’s vast amateur experience would be the key to victory as he was able to use a lighting quick jab and sharp right hands to keep the hard charging Washington at bay. But that all changed as Washington was able to close the distance and started to make his presence felt in the ring. A picture-perfect right hand put Hernandez down and though he rose on sound legs, another Washington hook put Hernandez down again to close out the opening round. Hernandez seemed to have shaken the cobwebs out of his head at the start of the second round as the two fighters engaged in a war over three minutes that had the crowed whipped into a frenzy. The brisk action continued into the third round with Hernandez trying to get some distance and Washington stalking, looking to close the gap. It was excellent back in forth action. Both fighters wore the look of fatigued warriors entering into the fourth and final round. Washington especially looked to have run out of gas, but while Hernandez appeared to be the fresher of the two, Washington was able to dip, duck, and doge, easily avoiding Hernandez last-ditch attack.

While scores were not read, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Washington. With the win Washington improves his record to 2-0, 1 KO; Hernandez begins his professional career with a record of 0-1.

Celina Salazar of San Antonio looked impressive in her pro debut, battering and bullying a game but out-gunned Lisa Lamb of Fort Worth. The larger Salazar came out aggressively, and rushed Lamb who tried to keep her distance by boxing from the outside. But Salazar would not be denied and continued whip a flurry of leather that took Lamb completely out of her game. Though it should be noted that Lamb entered into this fight with a severely fractured right hand, Salazar made a statement Friday night.

Scores were not read but Salazar was awarded a unanimous decision. With the victory Salazar begins her professional career with a record of 1-0; Lamb falls to 5-4, 2 KOs in defeat.

In the evening’s opening bout welterweight Pedro Dominguez of Denton, TX weathered some rough moments early on to gut out a four round unanimous decision over Forrest Curry of Fort Worth.

With the win Dominguez begins his professional career with a record of 1-0; Curry drops his pro debut to begin his career with a record of 0-1.

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