Vazquez Ends Valbuenaâs Title Dream
Thirty-four seconds into the 12th round of Thursdayâs main event at the Olympic Auditorium, referee James Jen Kim wrapped his arms around Jose Luis Valbuena, stared into Valbuenaâs glazed eyes and told the fighter his dream of winning the vacant International Boxing Federation junior-featherweight title was over.
Valbuena didnât protest.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. April 22, 2004 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday April 22, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 27 words Type of Material: Correction
Boxing referee -- In a March 26 Sports section article about a fight at the Olympic Auditorium, referee James Jen Kinâs surname was misspelled as Jen Kim.
He had been solidly beaten by Israel Vazquez (36-3, 26 knockouts) in front of a crowd of 2,812. Valbuena, who had never before been off his feet and had lost only once previously in the last seven years, was knocked down by Vazquez in the fourth round and again in the opening seconds of the 12th.
When Vazquez (24-3-1, 14) followed up the knockdown in the final round with several devastating punches, Jen Kim moved in to end the bout.
âHe was very awkward, very difficult,â said Vazquez of Valbuena, who uses a southpaw stance.
Valbuenaâs best weapon was the low blow. He floored Vazquez three times with the illegal punch, twice drawing warnings from Jen Kim.
âItâs very emotional,â said Vazquez, as he looked at the IBF belt around his waist. âI donât have the words to describe it.â
*
Bantamweight Roger Gonzalez entered the ring for the semi-main event unbeaten with plans for a big-money fight against IBF champion Rafael Marquez on the horizon.
Instead, Gonzalez (23-1, 17) left the ring a knockout victim at the hands of Jhonny Gonzalez (22-4, 20) after going down for the third time in the sixth round at the 2:42 mark.
Jhonny Gonzalez learned before the fight that his opponent was already set to fight Marquez. Jhonny Gonzalezâs anger at being taken for granted gave him the extra motivation he needed, he said, to pull off the upset.
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