April 1, 2000

Cloverleaf Race Track
Loveland, Colo.

Despite competition from the Final Four and the Colorado Golden Gloves, about 850 fight fans turned out for the fourth show at Cloverleaf Race Track in Loveland; they were rewarded with an entertaining five-bout offering.

The advertised main event saw local favorite Carlos Nevarez, 135, dominate his spirited six-rounder with Boulder's Gary Triano, 136. Nevarez, from nearby Fort Collins, dished out punishment in every round as Triano moved in but did more posing and catching than punching. Triano paid a steep price, suffering a broken nose, ruptured eardrum and his second broken jaw. Nevarez improved to 6-8-1 (3 KOs). Triano dropped to 3-7-1 (1). He has absorbed considerable punishment in his last two bouts.

The card's other six-rounder yielded an upset. Unheralded Henry Ramirez, 156.6, Kimball, Neb., made Scott "Pink Cat" Walker's first fight in three years an uncomfortable experience as he stayed in Walker's face and landed enough bombs to earn a unanimous decision. Walker, 23-5-1 (12), fought mostly in retreat, stopping to pepper his opponent with light flurries that often bounced harmlessly off of Ramirez's elbows and gloves. Ramirez, 4-7-1 (2), appeared to stun Walker, 149.75, on several occasions, catching his taller foe as Walker stepped back with his hands low. All six rounds were closely contested, but Ramirez landed virtually all of the bout's memorable blows.

Fans who pay close attention may remember that Walker, of Mesa, Ariz., took a decision from then-comebacking Alexis Arguello in 1995. Walker's resume also includes a brief two-round appearance against Julio Cesar Chavez. Ramirez has proven to be a dangerous opponent, at least on the club level. Last year, he leveled previously unbeaten Denver favorite Manuel Lopez in the second round of another bout in which he was the decided underdog. (Lopez won the rematch by decision.)

Pueblo puncher Andres Pacheco, 155.3, overwhelmed Fort Collins' Art Medina, 151.25, stopping him at 1:40 of the second round to improve to 3-0, 2 KOs. Spurred by several hundred emotional supporters who made the long drive north from Pueblo, "Panda" walked through the game Medina, dropping him late in the first round. Pacheco was in quick pursuit in the second, dropping Medina was a draining left to the body. Medina got up, but referee Ed Walsh wisely called a halt to the scheduled four. Medina was making his pro debut. Don't be surprised if Pacheco and Ramirez meet later this year in what would assuredly be an exciting fight while it lasts.

Brad Jensen, 144.25, Estes Park, beat a steady rhythm on the rib cage of Mike Lueras, 150, Northglenn, and mixed in plenty of shots upstairs as well. By the third round, Lueras wore a pained expression and his resistance was minimal, prompting referee Curtis Thrasher to stop the bout at 2:40 of that frame. Jensen improved to 2-0 (1); Lueras dropped to 1-4 (1).

The four-round opener saw a couple of area lightweights looking for their first win. Fort Collins' Ernie Borrego (1-1) found it, earning a unanimous decision against Daniel Almanza (0-2) of Greeley. Borrego, 135.5, was clearly sharper but was given a good workout by Almanza, 135.

Ernie Borrego, 135.5, Loveland, W-UD-4 Daniel Almanza, 135, Greeley
Borrego 1-1 (0 KOs); Almanza 0-2

Brad Jensen, 144.25, Estes Park, W-TKO-3 (2:35) Mike Lueras, 150, Northglenn
Jensen 2-0 (1); Lueras 1-4 (1)

Henry Ramirez, 156.5, Kimball, Neb., W-UD-6 Scott Walker, 149.75, Mesa, Ariz.
Ramirez 4-7-1 (2); Walker 23-5-1 (12)

Andres Pacheco, 155.3, Pueblo, W-TKO-2 Art Medina, 151.25, Fort Collins
Pacheco 3-0 (2); Medina 0-1

Carlos Nevarez, 135, Fort Collins, W-UD-6 Gary Triano, 136, Boulder
Nevarez 6-8-1 (3); Triano 3-7-1 (1)

Promoter: Gaffney Promotions
Matchmaker: Jim Smith
Referees: Curtis Thrasher, Ed Walsh
Judges: Mario Garcia, John Maydan, Tyrone Short, Steve Waldman
Commissioner in Charge: Ed Avila, Nebraska State Athletic Commission
Supervised by: Nebraska Athletic Commission in association with the Colorado Boxing Alliance
CBA Executive Administrator: Woody Kislowski
Physicians: Dr. Dane Floberg, Dr. Peter Schmid
Inspectors: Buddy Moore, Suzanne Gorsuch
Timekeeper: Lee Peters
Knockdowns: Jim Donahue
Tally Judge: Carlos De La Cruz
Announcer: The Limo Driver (AKA Ralph Williams)
Attendance: 850