By REY DANSECO
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Omar Nino Romero celebrated his successful bid to regain the WBC light flyweight title with more than 50 friends and supporters at the popular Casa Bariachi Monday night here.
Promoter Hector Garcia of HG Boxing hosted the victory party in giving honor to the one of the finest ring warriors in the world that Mexico has produced today.
The 34-year old Niño dethroned the much younger Filipino champion Rodel Mayol, who nicknamed “Kid Rapido” by this writer, with a well deserved unanimous decision win over 12 rounds of their rematch at the Plaza de Toros sa San Juan del Rio, Queretaro last Saturday.
The party started around 7pm and lasted past midnight. Niño’s well-wishers and invited guests occupied two long tables with variety of Mexican dishes, tequilas and sodas.
The feeling of festive in the spacious restaurant began when this writer Rey Danseco accepted trainer Mario Muñoz’s spirited invitation to dance and sing with the popular and lively Mariachi Juvenil band at the stage, making the crowd nearly wild.
This writer barrowed the microphone to the host and invited Niño and WBC Youth super flyweight champion Juan Jose “Goofy” Montes, who both gamely accepted and sang along despite having cut and bruises in their faces.
After a slow start, Montes retained his title with a TKO win at 1:09 of the fourth round after scoring three knockdowns against Filipino Richard Garcia at the Meson de los Deportes inside Universidad Autonoma de Nayarit in Tepic, Mexico Saturday night.
The 20-year old Mexican from Guadalajara floored 25-year old challenger for the first time in the third with a left hook to the ribcage. Garcia, with some blood from his nose, went up on his feet at the count of eight of American referee Stephen Blea and saved by the bell.
In the fourth, another left hook to the body sent IBF No. 10 flyweight contender down. But the courageous father of newly born baby tried to turn the tide with his light punches.
Montes, rated No. 3 super flyweight by the WBC and WBA, landed some powerful punches to the face and body when he got caught Garcia at his corner. After taking few combinations, the still fighting challenger went down again, but that time due to Montes’ push.
The Filipino complained that he was pushed and let him fight instead of taking a count. While Blea was doing the count, Garcia shouted “No! No! No!” and moved away from the referee towards his cornerman who was coming into the ring with white towel.
“Althought he hurt me with those body shots, I still can take it, I never surrendered. His push put me down, the fight won’t be stopped,” said Garcia, who fought for the first time at super flyweight.
At the time of stoppage, this Filipino writer, who was one of the judges, had all the rounds for Montes, while American Gerald Ritter and Mexico’s Juan Carlos Reynoso gave a round, one and two, respectively, for Garcia.
Montes suffered cut in his right eye from a headbutt in the third round and swollen left face from Garcia’s straights and hooks.
THUMBS UP -- WBC Light flyweight champ Omar Nino Romero (second from right) thumbs up together with WBC judge from the Philippines Rey Danseco (left), promoter Hector Garcia (right) and trainer Rafael Rangel during his victory party at the Casa Bariachi Sunday night in Guadalajara, Mexico.
WBC light flyweight titlist Omar Nino Romero ready to sing at his victory party
WBC judge Rey Danseco from the Philippines and boxing assistant coach Mario Muñoz dance with Mariachi band during WBC light flyweight champ Omar Niño Romero's victory party at the Casa Bariachi in Guadalajara, Mexico.
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