Boxing Perspective: Fighting in Chicago

By Tom Donelson

After a strong first round, Jose Manuel Ortega walked right into a sharp left hook from Ramon Guevara in the middle of the second stanza. Blood flowed freely from Ortega’s nose and from this point; Ortega’s face was a gory mess. This bout showed why 8-Count promotions represent the best in Chicago boxing. Ortega showed his warrior heart, as he kept moving forward against Ramon Guevara. In the fourth round, both men stood toe-to-toe as ferocity took center stage. No holding back as both fighters exchanged punches. Ortega finally stopped Guevara in the fifth, but this fight was one of many competitive fights that evening.

The main event featured Jesus Soto Karass challenging the undefeated Michel Rosales, who came in the bout with 15 knockouts in 16 fights. Karass last victory came over former champion Vince Phillips and his resume included the tougher challenger over his foe. This experience proved decisive.

The first round saw Karass press the action but Rosales punches appeared to have more punch as he took a slight edge with a rally at the end of the round. This fight featured many close rounds as each other fighters nailed each with combination of body shots followed by headshots. If you liked tough, grinding in fighting, then this would be your kind of fight.

In the early rounds, Rosales power appeared to give the undefeated fighter the edge but as the fight progressed, Karass’ bodywork wore out Rosales. However, Karass lost two points for low blows and in a fight that each round was a close battle, this produced drama as the fight headed down the stretch. In the fifth round, Karass lost his first points for low blows but this did not slow Karass down. Instead, he went off Rosales in a ferocious matter. Punches flew in many directions as Karass fought out of desperation to produced an even round on the scorecard. This round may have proved decisive. Karass attack took steam out of Rosales and this would affect Rosales down the championship rounds.

In the middle rounds, Rosales power began to leave him and his punches were merely armed punches. As the fight progressed, it was Karass, who appeared to have the more pop in his punches.

With two rounds left, Karass couldn’t depend upon winning a decision, not with two points deducted for low blows. Karass attacked and ripped hooks to the body. Despite losing two points on punches, Karass continued his body assault and refuse to alter his game plan. The first two minutes of the round appeared even before a left hook followed by right sent Rosales reeling in the rope. Karass followed and sent Rosales down for the count. Rosales briefly got up before the attack resumed before the referee stopped the fight.

What won this fight was the hard steady body attack produced by Karass. Karass outworked Rosales and his bodywork weakened the more powerful puncher. Karass gave the audience a lesson in how a steady body attack results in victory through attrition. And as it turned out, Karass was leading on two of the three judges card and the third judge had the fight even. (I personally had Rosales slightly ahead due to the point deduction but I couldn’t argue with those judges who had Karass ahead.)

If Karass-Rosales proved to be a tight tough match, Jason Litzau needed very little effort to defeat the veteran Sammy Ventura. Litzau did what a prospect is suppose to do when dealing with a fighter he is suppose to beat- he pounded the poor Ventura.

Ventura attacked but this attacked lasted but 30 seconds as Litzau power showed up quickly. Ventura spent rest of the round surviving as he hit the canvas once and nearly was counted out. Litzau went out in the second round and finished the show. Ventura was game but there was no doubt who was the better fighter. This was a showcase for Litzau as he continued his march toward a championship bout.

Chicago is one of America’s most diverse cities and ethnicity remains important to many of the Chicago natives. With a large Mexican-American population, Mexican fighters are always a great draw and the nearly full house showed a preponderance of Mexican boxing fans. In the Litzau bout, chants of USA were drowned out by chants of Mexico.

Chicago is home to many Central Europeans including possibly America’s largest Polish population. And a card that includes a few Polish fighters or central European fighters is guaranteed to draw a few extra fannies to the seat. Chicago native William Chouloute faced off against Polish prospect Mateusz Masternak and Masternak had more support among the crowd than the native Chicago pugilistic.

Like many of the bouts, this was competitive bout with both fighters exchanging blows as the momentum moved back and forth. This fight ended quickly in the fourth and final round as a Masternak right stunned Chouloute and after a steady combination, the referee saved Chouloute from further punishment.

Cicero Stadium is the prefect venue for boxing as the fans are close to the action and the seats are filled quickly. In Vegas, it is a common practice to show up for the main events and then leave early. Often many fighters on the under card bouts fight to sparse audience but in Cicero stadium, the seats fill up quickly and the fans are shouting from the opening punches. Chicago is a old style fight town in which what happens in the ring is what counts, not the celebrity observing the scene.