SAN JACINTO – Boxing, once a dormant whirlwind in the heart of Soboba, triumphantly roared back to life within the luminescent walls of the Soboba Casino Resort last week. The sport of meticulous jabs and strategic knockouts reemerged on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 15, which also brought about laughter and vitality with their Punches and Punchlines event.
House of Pain Boxing Promotions, in collaboration with Cesar Garcia’s Blackhouse Boxing and Toro Boxing Promotion, heralded a sell-out sensation—a seven-bout card igniting the ring with talent burgeoning from the local gyms that cultivate champions: Temecula’s House of Pain and Perris owned P-Town Boxing, alongside other regional titans.
The anticipation vibrated through the venue as Ian “The Captain” Morgan of House of Pain demonstrated an impeccable, aggressive stance against Terrance Brown. Unrelenting and determined, Morgan delivered staggering power punches, propelling Brown into the ropes and earning himself a first-round knockout victory that set the energy for the night.
Following suit was William King from P-Town Boxing, clashing gloves with David Reyes in an equally riveting 135-pound bout. Their battle was meted out over four rounds of relentless, high-octane exchanges. Ultimately, the judges’ scorecards declared a majority draw, a testament to the evenly matched titans and the sheer competitiveness they exhibited.
Cruiserweight supremacy was contested as undefeated David Longoria from House of Pain met John Lara in his professional debut. Despite Longoria’s shining moments within the squared circle, it was Lara commanding the stage, landing an arsenal of power punches. This decisive action earned Lara an unchallenged ascension, etching a victory on all three judge’s scorecards.
Beyond the thrilling combat, the evening crowned its fan favorite, Jimmie Nunez. Amidst the echoes of the crowd chanting his name, Nunez engaged in a heated toe-to-toe with Kenekuk De La Rosa for six rounds brimming with fervor. Nonetheless, it was De La Rosa who was heralded the victor by unanimous decision.
The event also witnessed the triumphs of Jack May, Nilo Guerrero, and Tsotne Rogava, who each claimed victory with first-round knockouts, displaying a formidable showcase of precision and power.
Adding an additional layer of prestige, the corner of Tsotne Rogava was graced by none other than esteemed trainer Joe Goosen, a notable mention that speaks volumes about the caliber of the event. The night’s festivities were buoyed by the comedic flair of Jerry Garcia, serving as master of ceremonies, with the poised Kaz Egan, a familiar face from the Lake Elsinore Storm front office staff, elegantly fulfilling the role of ring announcer.
The inaugural venture for Dave and Mary Trujillo with House of Pain Boxing Promotions has paved the way for more riveting events to grace the area. Fight enthusiasts can earmark April 27th as yet another call to Storm Stadium in Lake Elsinore, where boxing will continue its storied tradition.
Soboba Casino’s Punches and Punchlines event cultivated a night remembered for masterful boxing and genuine enjoyment. With the promise of future thrills in the region, the night heralded a new chapter for local athletes and enthusiasts alike. To find out more details about the event, with fight details and information regarding the promotion companies, visit www.soboba-nsn.gov/news-press/punches-punchlines-land-soboba-casino-resort. Action Captures Media Group contributed to this article recap.
