Norcalboxing.net
Sacramento's Ayala (left) meets Salazar in Fresno on Saturday.
Fresno's Velarde Boxing Gym will host an amateur show Saturday featuring several tantalizing matchups, including a clash between two of the top bantamweights in California--Sacramento's Mario Ayala and Fresno's Gary Salazar.
"I would like to fight the best bantamweights out there," Ayala told Norcalboxing.net. "In order to be the best you have to fight the best, and I believe Gary is one of the best out there. I believe it's going to be a tough fight. Gary brings his A-Game to every fight and I will have to do the same."
Ayala's recent accomplishments are numerous. In addition to bronze medals at the Desert Showdown and National PAL, the Sactown 123-pounder advanced to the quarterfinals at the USA Boxing National Championships last month.
Meanwhile, Salazar's résumé is full of feats as well, having been named one of the Outstanding Boxers in Region 8 last year following a run that has included titles in the National Silver Gloves, National Junior Golden Gloves, and National PAL.
"They are both hard working and determined young men that train hard and put on a good show," said Ayala's trainer, Marty Chima of Sacramento Dogg Pound. "It's not going to be an easy fight, but Mario is ready to go three hard rounds and do his best, as I'm sure is Gary."
Also on the docket are a quintet of talented Junior Olympic division fighters from San Francisco's Ring of Fire, who will make the trip to Fresno to take on their Central Valley counterparts.
National Silver Gloves silver medalist Suray Mahmutovic fights Joseph Murrieta of the hometown Velarde Boxing Club in a 148-pound matchup, and 2010 California Silver Gloves winner Cameron Smith takes on Kevin Mendoza of Aleman Boxing Club in a 75-pound bout.
Also on the card, 2010 California Silver Gloves champ Mario Lopez meets fellow 72-pounder Jorge Ruiz of Aleman, while in a showdown between 2011 California Silver Gloves medalists, Jesse Lujano (silver) fights Jesse Flores (bronze). In the fifth pairing, Ring of Fire's Erick Arriaza fights Osmel Avila of Aleman in a 78-pound bout.
"This is going to be a good experience for my kids," trainer Rob Fernandez said. "They're preparing for the local Junior Olympics, and there's a great level of competition in Fresno."
The first fight is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at 136 North Thorne Avenue. Check out the Northern California Pro & Amateur Fight Schedule for details on this event as well as all local boxing events by clicking HERE or by clicking the link on the upper-right hand side of the page.
Boxing correspondent Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at Norcalboxing.net, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.
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