LaRon Mitchell Defeats Scott Alexander for the NABF Heavyweight Title – Boxing News

By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña (At Ringside)
Photos by Cynthia “Cindy Lou” Saldaña (At Ringside)

Friday night inside of the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, California, heavyweights LaRon Mitchell, 15-0, 13 KO’s and Scott Alexander, 12-2-2, 6 KO’s battled for the WBC/NABF JR Heavyweight Title in the main event of “Path to Glory” presented by Thompson Boxing. Mitchell is a rising talent in the heavyweight division. His first thirteen wins all came by knockout and his latest victory was a hard fought unanimous decision over Mario Heredia in August, it was a solid test for the San Francisco native. Mitchell took another tough obstacle in Alexander who also fought in August on the same Thompson Boxing card as Mitchell. Alexander used his length, power and speed to easily beat Sergio Ramirez by TKO.

The tension was high Friday as both fighters started the bout showing respect for each other’s power. Both fighters established the outside jab early on and boxed technically sound. Then midway through the second round, Mitchell cut off the ring trapping Alexander in the corner landing a solid heavy shot to the chest flooring him. Alexander bounced off the canvas claiming it was a slip, but from press row it was clear a punch had landed. Referee Raul Caiz, JR. turned to the time keeper and picked up the count at 5 much to the dismay of Alexander. Alexander did his best the rest of the round to gain the point back landing several quick combinations and staying away from Mitchell. In the 3rd, Mitchell caught Alexander with a huge uppercut and hook to the body sending Alexander into the ropes where Alexander would spend most of the night. Throughout the rest of the bout Mitchell imposed his size on Alexander turning the fight into a phone booth style fight, not giving Alexander a chance to move his feet and landing vicious power shots to the body of Alexander.

Mitchell seemed to let off of the gas in the 7th as Alexander landed a flurry of quick punches and tried to use his footwork but that was short lived as in the 8th LaRon went back to work trapping Alexander on the ropes suffocating ever punch Alexander threw while landing bombs of his own. After 10 championship rounds of boxing, the judges had it 98-91(twice) and 97-92 all in favor of LaRon Mitchell. After the fight Mitchell gave me an exclusive interview and told me “I fought the fight with a deep bruise in my shoulder and the fight was almost called off, I had to get a cortisone shot”. When I asked him about winning the title he stated “It feels good, all the hard work, all the time away from my children, all the time away from my family, all the sacrifices, working two jobs and still going to the gym was all for this, winning the belt for my friends, family, my team and kids from the gym was special.” In closing, I asked LaRon what his plans were for 2017? He stated “moving forward my goal is to be ready for anybody, to be ready for any and every challenge.”

Undercard results:

Juan “El Niño” Ruiz, 16-0,10 Vs Wilberth Lopez, 15-5, 10 KO’s (8 Rounds) Lightweights.
Result: Ruiz by majority decision Ruiz moves to 17-0, 10 KO’s.

Ricardo Espinoza, 9-1, 8 KO’s Vs Francisco Lapizco, 7-4, 2 KO’s, (6 Rounds) Super Flyweights.
Result: Ricardo Espinoza by unanimous decision, Ricardo Espinoza moves to 10-1, 8 KO’s.

Cesar Villarraga, 9-2, 4 KO’s Vs Juan Ramon Reyes, 12-3-3, 2 KO’s, (6 Rounds) Lightweights.
Result: Juan Ramon Reyes by unanimous decision victory, Juan Ramon Reyes moves to 12-4-3, 2 KO’s.

Eredani Leon, 3-2, 1 KO Vs Jacob Szilasi, 4-1, 4 KO’s, (4 Rounds) Welterweights.
Result: Eredani Leon by unanimous decision, Eredani Leon, moves to 4-2, 1 KO.

Alex Solorio, 3-1, 1 KO Vs Alimkhan Jumakhonov, 4-1, 1 KO, (4 Rounds) Featherweights.
Result: Alimkhan Jumakhonov by unanimous decision, Alimkhan Jumakhonov moves to, 5-1, 1 KO.

Michael Dutchover, (Debut) Vs Cesar Partida, 1-0-1, (4 Rounds) Super Featherweights.
Result: Michael Dutchover by 3rd round TKO, Dutchover moves to 1-0.

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