BOXING AT THE IRVINE MARRIOTT : Armijo Is Defeated by One Punch--His Own

If not for a lost point because of an illegal punch, John Armijo would have at least escaped with a draw in the main event of the monthly boxing program Thursday at the Irvine Marriott.

Armijo of Huntington Beach lost a 10-round split decision to James Rivas of Phoenix. It was a non-title bout for Armijo, who is the California Super Welterweight champion.

Judge Henry Pahl had Armijo (The Fighting Lifeguard) winning, 96-93, but he lost 95-94, 95-94, on Larry Rozadilla’s and Bert Gilliam’s cards. Had the point not been taken away, it would have been a majority draw.

Armijo (15-6) lost the point in the third round for punching Rivas in the back of the head.

Rivas (10-4-1) attacked Armijo in the early rounds, scoring often to the body. But Rivas clearly didn’t want to stand toe-to-toe with Armijo, retreating for much of the bout. Rivas started several rounds by dashing at Armijo, throwing two body blows then retreating.

In the early going, the tactic frustrated Armijo.

Rivas also taunted Armijo much of the fight by shaking his head to show he wasn’t hurt after Armijo would land a solid punch.

Rivas throughout the bout also repeatedly put his glove to his cheek, as if asking for a kiss. But there appeared to be no ill feelings, as the two hugged in the ring afterward.

By the fifth round, Armijo was able to cut the ring off, trapping Rivas enough to score with combinations. But before Armijo could get a flurry going, Rivas escaped.

Both fighters looked tired in the final three rounds, and they often failed to land consecutive scoring punches.

On the undercard:

Mike Semaza, who last fought in March, 1992, won a six-round decision. Semaza, a featherweight from Orange, beat Jose Herrera of Glendale by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55.

Semaza (10-0-1) appeared twice at Irvine last year, but stopped boxing because of a series of hand injuries.

He was tentative in the opening round Thursday, but then dominated the rest of the way. Neither fighter was ever in danger of going down, but Semaza scored often with solid left hooks and sharp rights.

Ricky Ramirez, a lightweight from Orange, beat Larry Loy of Van Nuys in a six-round bout that divided the crowd as well as the judges.

Ramirez (7-0) won on Pahl’s card, 59-58, and on Rozadilla’s, 59-56.

Hassett scored it 58-56, in favor of Loy. Neither boxer dominated an entire round, but Ramirez appeared the moreaggressive puncher overall.

The card was the first of the ninth year at the Irvine Marriott.