Ex-Cowpuncher Punched Out Early

The frustration was obvious on Randy (Cowboy) Leaks’ face after his third pro loss Thursday night at the El Cortez Convention Center.

But it probably didn’t come close to matching that on the faces of his trainers, Abel Sanchez and Orlin Norris Sr.

Leaks, a former professional rodeo rider, was bothered by his sluggish performance against Donald Stephens of Las Vegas but even more bothered by referee Earnie Swaile’s decision to stop his fight at 2:31 of the second in the scheduled six-rounder.

“That was bull,” Leaks said. “He needs to look in a fighter’s eyes before he stops a fight.”

Sanchez, though, agreed with Swaile’s decision and said Leaks might need to look in his own eyes before fighting again.

“He got clocked pretty good,” Sanchez said. “The guy was a lot stronger than Randy.

“Randy’s too concerned about his rodeo. He has to dedicate himself to (boxing) or rodeo.”

Leaks, 25, blamed his loss on a number of things.

“I was not setting up my punches with jabs,” he said. “I was just throwing one punch at time. I was also real over-anxious going into the ring. I’m just a real hyperactive guy, and I had a hard time settling down.”

Leaks thought he was going to settle down in his home state of Texas and become a rodeo star. But after six years of riding steers, Leaks decided boxing was a less-dangerous profession.

“Two years ago I got pulled down on my head by a bull, then he came down and butted me in the chest. It was fun and all, by there’s not enough money in it to make a living.”

Since giving up rodeo, Leaks has compiled a 9-3 professional record. One of his losses was to Yawe Davis, the No. 9-ranked light-heavyweight in the world.

Leaks has also spent some sparring with Gerry Cooney. And he said the former champ looks good enough to beat George Foreman in his upcoming fight.

“If he stays away from Foreman and uses his jab, he should do pretty good.”

Sanchez and Norris probably wish he was more of an authority on his own career. Leaks was in control for most of the first round but was caught with a left hook just before the bell. In the second, Stephens landed several left hooks to Leaks’ head, wobbling his legs. Swaile stepped in after Leaks fell against the ropes.

In the main event, Gilbert (Sweet Sensation) Baptiste (156 pounds) won a unanimous eight-round decision over Tony Powell (154) of Kenner, La. Baptiste, the World Boxing Assn.’s America’s champion, raised his record to 17-9 by utilizing his superior quickness to beat Powell (16-7) to the punch nearly every time.

In other bouts:

Vincente Lopez (145) of Los Angeles improved to 12-1 with a second-round knockout of San Diego’s Jorge Rivera (145), who fell to 12-8-1.

Charles Young (145) of Los Angeles won a split four-round decision over Mario Solario (146 1/2) of Port Hueneme. Young is 3-2-2, Solario is to 7-2.

Steven Mwema of Los Angeles (119) won a unanimous four-round decision over Rogelio Perez (117) of San Diego to improve his record to 4-0. Perez fell to 2-4.