Boxing Results: Erika “Dinamita” Cruz Retains WBA Title Defeating Melissa Esquivel!

By Boxing News - 11/26/2021 - Comments

By Ken Hissner: At the Centro Internacional de Convenciones, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Friday over DAZN (Zone), Saul Alvarez (Canelo Promotions), and Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) presented in the Main Event WBA World Female Featherweight champion Erika Cruz Hernandez defending her title for the first time defeating Melissa Esquivel by split decision in an all Mexican bout.

(Photo credit: Gabe Rivas for Matchroom Boxing)

In the co-main event, WBO NABO Lightweight champion Angel “Tashiro” Fierro, of MEX and San Diego, CA, stopped Cristian “El Gato Gordo” Bielma, of Mexicali, MEX, in 4 rounds.

In the Main Event WBA World Female Featherweight champion southpaw Erika “Dinamita” Cruz, 14-1 (3), #126, of Mexico City, MEX, retained her title by split decision over Melissa Esquivel, 12-2-1 (4), #124 ½, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, MEX, over 10×2 rounds.

The first two rounds were fought at an even pace, with Esquivel taking the first and Cruz the second. In the third round, a clash of heads ended the round, with Esquivel getting the worst of it. In the fifth round, Cruz had her best of round up to that point out, landing Esquivel.

In the sixth round, Cruz ended it with an overhand left on the chin of Esquivel, driving her back into the ropes. In the seventh and eighth rounds, the southpaw Cruz continued landing the overhand left to the chin of Esquivel. In the ninth round, Cruz kept coming forward, with Esquivel finally countering with rights on the chin. In the tenth and final round, Cruz tried for a knockout, though it didn’t come but won the round in a big way. Referee was Aida Tejada.

Scores were 97-93 Esquivel, 97-93 Cruz and 98-92 Cruz. This writer had it 97-93 Cruz.

“I want to thank my savior Jesus Christ for the victory. I know it was close enough to be a draw in a very good fight. In a long list of fighters, I would like to fight Amanda Serrano. As a member of the Mexican National Guard, I want to reach out to my fellow guards,” said Cruz.

In the co-main event WBO NABO Lightweight champion Angel “Tashiro” Fierro, 19-1-1 (15), #134 ¼, of MEX and San Diego, CA, stopped Cristian “El Gato Gordo” Bielma, 18- 4-1 (7), #134, of Mexicali, Baja California, MEX, at 2:08 of the fourth round of a scheduled ten rounds.

In the first two rounds, each fighter had their moments, with Bielma mostly the aggressor starting well against the countering Fierro. In the third round, Fierro rocked Bielma halfway through the round with a right and left to the head and again in the final minute, hurting Bielma. In the fourth round, a left hook to the body followed by a right on the side of the head from Fierro spun Bielma around, causing referee Miguel Canul to call a halt as Bielma was out on his feet.

Fierro entered the ring carrying a Minnie Mouse doll. It was later announced it was at the request from his daughter. Fierro said, “in 2022, I want to fight for the WBC title against Devin Haney. He is trained by former 4 division world champion Erik Morales.

Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez, 22-2-1 (20), #146 ¾ of Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX, stopped Javier “El Chivero” Franco, 35-22-6 (16), #146 ¼, of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, MEX, at 1:08 of the third round of a scheduled eight rounds.

In the first round, Franco used a good body attack to take the round. In the second round, Gomez came back with a body attack of his own hurting Franco. In the third round, a right from Gomez to the left shoulder of Franco and down he went. Up at 8, Franco was showing he had obvious problems with his shoulder trying to work it out when referee Jesus Ruiz Ramirez waved off the fight.

Super Middleweight Raul “Money” Salomon, 8-1 (8), #165, of Long Beach, CA, lost to Aaron “Superman” Silva, 9-0 (6), #164 ¼, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MEX, scoring a knockdown over eight hard-fought rounds.

In the first round, Silva used an effective jab but got countered once by a Salomon right on the chin. In the second round, Silva outworked Salomon, who seemed to have the heavier hands of the two. In the third round, after half a minute, Silva landed a right, left, and right on the chin of Salomon, knocking him down. Salomon was up immediately and managed to get through the rest of the round.

In the fourth round, Salomon came back well, making it close and possibly winning his first round with a good combination on the chin, hurting Silva. In the fifth round, it went back and forth, with Salomon ending the round with a right to the chin of Silva. In the sixth round, Silva came back well, making it a dog fight in a close round.

In the seventh round, it was spirited by both, with Silva ending the last thirty seconds taking over. In the eighth and final round, a war broke out with their “0” on the line. Silva was landing more, but Salomon landed the harder punches of the two as both were landing at the bell.
Scores were 77-75, 78-73, and 77-74, as did this writer have it.

Super Lightweight Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, 25-2-1 (15), #137 ¾, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, MEX, impressed in stopping Juan “El Penita” Jimenez, 30-21-3 (20), #139 ¾, of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, MEX, at 1:59 of the first round of a scheduled 8 rounds.

In the first round, after a vicious body attack, Valenzuela landed a hard right to the body of Jimenez, having him badly hurt when referee Ramirez waved it off after several minutes of the round.

Philadelphia’s exciting Puerto Rican Middleweight “King” Gabe Rosado joined Michael Sullivan as commentator’s