 |
|
|
 News from Around Banderas Bay | October 2006 
Muay Thai Results From the Collage
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | Gregorio "El Dragoncito" Gabriel, winner of the professional main event, poses after his victory with a youngster from the Round Dragon gym. | 
| | Although the main event at times lacked action, this was an exchange that was effective and power packed. | 
| | Maestro and champion Santiago "Dragon" Manzanarez worked the corner for his fighters as well as he fights. Santiago is also one of the finest individuals one can meet in sports. | 
| | Maestro of the Tea Muay gym and promoter of the event, Jesus Gonzalez poses at the press conference in front of his many trophies. | 
| | Action in one of the amateur bouts. | 
| | Popular referee Armando Tapia with his daughter after the evening's event. | 
| | Showered after wining the main event, the popular Gregorio Gabriel poses with a lovely young friend. |
The Collage Club hosted yet another Muay Thai event Saturday night that included ten bouts. Promoted by Tea Muay Gym Maestro Jesus Gonzalez and co promoted by Round Dragon owner and National champion Santiago "Dragon" Manzanarez, the event drew a crowd of close to 1000 spectators. The Collage Club has grown to be a great venue and more events are scheduled there in the near future.
The night began with exhibition fighting of all types of martial arts. Word has it that "Ultimate Fighting"; the new big worldwide craze will be coming to Puerto Vallarta in the very near future. There are some local fighters that have experience in the brutal, but popular sport that is already collecting big money on Pay per View television.
The card Saturday was all amateur except for the main event in which professionals, Gregorio "El Dragoncito" Gabriel of the Round Dragon Gym fought Gerardo "El Jerry" of Iropuerto, Guanajuato's KLM Gym. The two fighters spend most of the first round feeling each other out and the referee had to stop the round twice to encourage Gregorio and Gerardo to engage in battle. The few punches and kicks in the round were registered by "Dragoncito", who was smaller, but more powerful than his opponent.
The second round of the three round bout showed more action, mostly initiated by the hometown favorite, but the ref did stop it once more due to lack of activity. During the round "El Jerry" showed a nasty cut on his lower leg received from some strong quick, slashing leg kicks by "Dragoncito". The third and final round gave the fans something to start cheering about as action intensified. Gerardo's cut opened even more and one appeared in the same spot on Gabriel. With the victory clearly in hand the final minute was fought more deliberately. The bell sounded and "El Dragoncito" was declared the unanimous winner to the delight of the partisan fans. Manzanarez worked the corner of his protégée with superb professionalism and is expected to fight again later this year.
The early bouts included three kid's fights of two 2 minute rounds. The kids ranged form five to seven years old and delighted the fans with their ring savvy at such a young age. In one fight, Manzanarez' young six year old son Brandon worked the corner just like his Dad. As is traditional, all the youngsters' bouts were called a draw.
Some fights on the card appeared to be total mismatches and two fights concluded early with knockouts and the fighter unable to continue. Two other fights were cancelled as there was no opponent available. One of the knockout bouts was won by Victor "Matagan" Rios of Tanai Luark gym that fought a late replacement from the KML gym. Rios knocked down his opponent in the first 30seconds and then the fight was called after a second knockdown 40 seconds later.
The fight card concluded at its normal midnight hour and the Round Dragon gym proved to be the winners this Saturday night. In this reporter's analysis, the overall card could have been better with equal quality opponents, but was an exciting night nonetheless. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us