BOXING AT THE IRVINE MARRIOTT : Jackson Does Only What’s Needed in Victory

On his way to the ring at the Irvine Marriott Thursday night, John David Jackson played the role of The Champ to the hilt.

The music blared. The entourage was in double figures. There was someone at the front of the pack carrying Jackson’s World Boxing Organization junior-middleweight championship belt for all to see.

But once the show before Jackson’s 10-round non-title bout against Sergio Medina was over, there wasn’t much to see.

Jackson (28-0), from Seattle and now boxing out of Newport Beach, cruised to an easy unanimous decision against an overmatched opponent. The fact the fight went the distance didn’t please the crowd, many of whom booed the final bell because of Jackson’s seeming reluctance to end a fight he was clearly in control of earlier.

But Jackson didn’t look at going the full 10 rounds as an exercise in futility. Instead, he looked at it as exercise, period.

“It’s always nice to get some good work in,” Jackson said. “(Medina) takes a good shot.”

Not as tough as World Boxing Council champion Terry Norris, whom Jackson has challenged and expects to eventually fight, perhaps as soon as next March. After Jackson’s slow start against Medina, verbal shots from the crowd reminded him of his challenge:

“Terry Norris is waiting for you.”

“Terry Norris will take you out.”

“You ain’t ready for Terry Norris.”

Perhaps not, but Jackson was efficient and effective if not overpowering against Medina. Jackson, a southpaw, continually landed jabs to Medina’s face and began to land straight left hands at will in the fourth round, when Medina’s nose and mouth were bloodied.

As Medina’s eyes began to swell shut, Jackson continued to jab and move, seemingly content to treat the bout as an extended sparring session. Medina (34-8) landed several good shots early in the sixth, but Jackson came back quickly to take control and later scored a knockdown in the eighth with a hard left to the body.

Results:

John David Jackson (Seattle), 158, d. Sergio Medina (Oakland), 158 1/4, unanimous decision, 10 rounds; Joey Martin (Anaheim), 141 1/2, d. Damon Franklyn (Palmdale), 142, unanimous decision, five rounds; Rickey Ramirez (Santa Ana), 135 1/2, d. Lauro Guerrero (San Bernardino), 139, unanimous decision, five rounds; Randy Smith (Azusa), 160, d. Fidel Marin (San Bernardino), 159 3/4, unanimous decision, four rounds; Gonzalo Ramirez (Azusa), 129, d. Mario Zarate (Barstow), 132, unanimous decision, four rounds.