BEING A COMBAT SPORTS FAN PAYS OFF: Best Fights I’ve seen haven’t cost me a hundred bucks to watch
April 29, 2024
Simon Ruvalcaba
Whenever I speak with fight fans about the greatest fights ever witnessed, I often draw raised eye brows when I mention the greatest boxing match I’ve ever witnessed live. While they may be jogging their memory among the high profile PPV and network TV bouts they have watched, the surprised faces stem from my answer being a fight that likely wasn’t watched by many outside of the Los Angeles?
It was at Caesars in Lake Tahoe on a Jorge Paez Forum boxing promotions under-card that was televised on local L.A. channel KCAL on September 30, 1995. A Sophmore in High School at the time, my Mom gave me $15 to go buy a ticket and enjoy the fights! Aaron Zarate 24-4-1 coming in, handed future world champion (22-0 at the time) Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez the first defeat of his career by 10 round split decision. The two went toe to toe almost from the opening bell, I’ll never forget the sight of them coming out for the 10th and final round. They touch gloves and immediately commenced to punching the sweat off of each other. It was an unreal sight, and a fight that if ESPN Classic gets there hands on, surely it will be displayed to a broader audience?
One of the greatest MMA bouts I witnessed was March of 2010 at the Knitting Factory in Reno, NV. It was a locally promoted amatuer MMA event (“Ultimate Reno Combat 10”) a promotional series that was promoted by Rick Collup. As a boxing instructor for Ken Shamrock’s Lions Den at the time, I was on hand to wrap the hands and assist in the corner of the Den’s fighters on the card. Little did I know that in the night’s Co-Main Event I would be be witnessing what, to that point, was the best MMA performance I’ve seen.
It was for the Reno Combat lightweight title between 5-0 defending champ Casey Parlett of California, and a local 4-0 favorite Delorean “D-LO” Heaivilin. The bout scheduled for 5, 3 minute rounds had a fast pace to start. Both fighters exchanged well, and although Heaivilin was proving to be a worthy challenger, Parlett was getting the best of him on the ground and during the stand up periods. Round 3 was the most competitive of the fight as D-Lo controlled the early part, but Parlett took command the 2nd half of the round. Round 4 saw the most brutal portions as Parlett repeatedly tagged Heaivilin and then on the ground several times looked like he may be pounding the challenger into a stoppage. Heavilin, who fought back just enough to avoid getting stopped, took punches so hard, his girlfriend, who happened to be seated (mostly standing) directly across from me, often times looked away and could watch no more herself.
Coming out for round 5, cut below the eye, swelled face, and bloody lip. The only question seemed to be whether he would survive the fight or not?
Bloodied but unbowed Heaivilin took to the ground game for his best hope. The best hope, however, seemed not to be enough and he was on his back most of the round. Laying down, holding Parlett off, it seemed Heavilin was in survival mode. Then, it happened, He turns over and has an arm bar locked in full grip!!! Parlett struggling to hold off taps out! With twelve seconds left in the bout, the winner, and new champ Delorean Heaivilin! Many times Hollywood tries to create this type of drama, but this was real. What a fight, what a performance, what a climax to the event. You most likely have never heard of either of these fighters, but both men walked in with their goals and dreams, and walked out partners in history of what is still local folklore by the couple of hundred that bared witness.
Afterwards, I got to see both sides of the fence. Backstage I witnessed a shocked and upset Parlett sitting on a chair in the make shift locker room, as much in disbelief as everyone else in the arena, pounding his fists angrily thinking out loud “12 fucking seconds.” Only time will tell if this shock will ruin or inspire the gifted prospect?
I Rarely have felt compelled to do a write up on a show that I am not attending as a member of the media. However, with the never say die performance that Heaivilin displayed, I felt compelled to let the story of this night be known by many more then the attended crowd. Who knows what the future holds for D-Lo, but after this night, no one will ever question his heart, courage, or determination, and weather or not that leads to pro success, those ingredients rarely fail to make great citizens. Parlett, did have 1 pro MMA fight on record and was defeated. Heaivilin, now living and training in San Diego, CA turned pro last year and is 1 and 0.
As I reminisce on memories of the game, thank you Aaron Zarate, Carlos Hernandez, Delorean Heaivilin and Casey Parlett, for making me proud to be a fight fan!
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.
