UNDERCARD RESULTS FROM STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA
April 20, 2024
By: Simon Ruvalcaba
On a busy sports day and a cotroversial Kentucky Derby. Stockon, California fans where treated to exciting undercard action that was not without controversy itself.
The early arriving and boisterous crowd was not treated kindly in the final ESPN+ bout before ESPN went on air with the main card. Popular Stockton Flyweight was knocked down by a counter left hook from Jesus Godinez but appeared to do enough in the other three rounds? The judges did not agree with press row and Godinez spoiled the homecoming and unbeaten record of Arroyo. Scores where 38-37 twice for Godinez while a 3rd judge agreed with Punchline and saw the contest 38-37 for Arroyo. Oxnard, California’s Godinez improves to 3-3 (2), while Arroyo falls to 2-1 (1).
Sacramento, California Cruiserweight and Iraq War Veteran Blake ‘The Beast’ McKernan improved to 12-0 (6) going 8 rounds for the first time in his career while earning a unanimous decision over Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Joey Montoya. Scores where 79-72 (twice) and 78-73 for the popular Army Vet. The bout saw exciting action not just between the fighters, but referee Dan Stell and the antics of Montoya, who ended up losing a point at the end of round 6 for a late blow. Montoya falls to 9-7-3 (3).
Stockton’s own Quilisto ‘Kilo The Kid’ Madera pleased the local crowd with an exciting and dominant 6 round shut out decision victory over Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Osbaldo Gonzalez in a Middleweight contest. Madera improves to 12-2 (8) while Gonzalez falls to 6-4 (4).
Fundamentally skilled and text book style Super Bantamweight Vislan Dalkhaev used a crisp jab and quick reflexes to avoid the counters of Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Vincent Jennings enroute to a unanimous 6 round decision victory. Scores where 59-55 (twice) and 60-54 for Dalkhaev who is now 11-1 (3). Jennings falls to 6-7-2 (4).
While the Kentucky Derby inquiry was going on, the screens in the Stockton Arena where continuously displaying another replay as Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Brian Mendoza ended his Welterweight contest versus Carlos Rodriguez via a highlight reel left hook that ended the night for Rodriguez 1:45 into the second round. Rodriguez had some success in the first round and confidently came forward to start the second round before the single punch flattened him. The talented Medoza is now 17-0 (12) while Rodriguez falls to 12-8-1 (5).
In the opening bout of the evening Light Heavyweight Felix Valera of the Dominican Republic improved to 18-2 (15) with a fourth round stoppage of the entertaining opponent Mario Aguilar of Mexico. Valera pounded his combos while Aguilar’s antics made you shake your head as he would get hit and pose, dance or wave Valera to bring it on. The pounding ended at 2:29 of round 4. Aguilar is now 20-7 (17).
About the Editor
Army Veteran and former Professional Boxer Simon Ruvalcaba started boxing at the age of ten and Had a 71 fight amateur career which featured a 139 lbs. 1998 8th U.S. Army Boxing Championship out of Camp Casey, Korea and a spot on the prestigious Army Boxing Team at Fort Hood, TX. After a journeyman pro career of 18 fights, which included sparring sessions with many champions and contenders including Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker, Simon started writing and has contributed to many publications and websites including fighthype.com, pound4pound.com, Tahoe Daily Tribune (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV). He has also been the Boxing Instructor for Ken Shamrock and The Lions Den and was MMA and Bareknuckle star Paige VanZant’s first boxing coach!
Born and Raised in South Lake Tahoe, California he now resides in Sun Valley, Nevada and spends as much time as possible with his Sons Gabriel and Oscar! Beyond boxing, Simon is an all around sports fanatic and is passionate about the teams that he roots for. Simon also works as a Sportsbook Supervisor for Caesars Sportsbook in Lake Tahoe.
