CAMARENA CONTINUES ON THE RISE, DEFEATS LOGAN IN 10, BECOMES THE WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD YOUTH CHAMPION

By Moncayo Blackbull

Photo: Glenn Depriest (Click on picture for larger view)                                                                                    Photo Gallery

DENVER, Colorado (November 20, 2004) – Local Super Lightweight contender Donald Camarena (14-1) wins his first world title by defeating Marteze Logan (15-11-2) with a unanimous decision. The fight card held at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado, Friday night.

The fight card promoted by Ryan Madden and the Lyons Sports Group, Inc. featured two WBC championship contests, Alex Bunema defending his Continental Americas Championship against Alberto Mercedes and Camarena vying for the World Youth Title (Interim) against Logan. The card also staged super middleweights fighters Ayodeji Fadeyi against John McKinney, super middleweights Brock Stodden fighting James Brock and super lightweights David Hernandez in a 4 round exhibition with Brad Jensen.

You could feel the excitement in the air as the fighters made their way into the arena along with the spotlights, sirens and smoke leading them onto the ring. When Camarena made his entrance you could barley hear yourself think, as the cheers overcame the music. The crowd was defiantly here in support of Camarena bringing a world championship to Denver.

The fight started with Logan going on an all out attack. Being very aggressive and backing Camarena into the ropes, Logan scored well. Camarena fighting the entire first round off the ropes and firing effective counter punches. Camarena effectively fought the round defensively catching most of Logan’s punches with his arms and gloves. The aggressiveness of Logan may have won him the round but he was unable to coax Camarena into an open brawl.

The second round, Camarena started to relax a bit more finding his patented movement/countering style of fighting. Logan continued to fight aggressively occasionally driving Camarena into the ropes. The action starts to even out in the round.

Camarena starts to find his target in the third round as he becomes more aggressive and starts to utilize his speed combinations and solid body shots. Marteze, lunging with his shots followed with his head. Referee Woody Kislowski takes notice and warns Marteze.

The next several rounds are action packed with Camarena taking charge of the fight and setting the temple. Marteze would make the rounds interesting by coming on in spurts and landing combinations. With Camarena landing solid combinations and countering Marteze’s power shots, Marteze fell into a grove of throwing a punch, lowering his head and grabbing. With the head butts becoming more and more common, a concerned Camarena corner starts a verbal protest to the referee.

“Donald had to watch for Marteze’s head and that was taking away from him being able to establish an effective offensive assault. The left side of his left eye was getting red from the butts and the last thing we wanted was a cut.” Said, Aurelio Martinez, Camarena’s trainer.

Many times and throughout the fight the crowd would chant "Donald, Donald, Donald" while banging on the tables and stopping their feet. It was a thing of beauty to hear and see the crowd support Donald, the stomping and banging on the tables in rhythm was reminisce of fans at a Denver Bronco game.  

After several warnings of holding and coming in with his head, Kislowsky takes a point away from Marteze in the ninth round.

Camarena going ten rounds for the first time in his career, wins his first world title with a unanimous decision.

The 20 year old Logan has been one of the most active fighters I can ever remember having fought 29 times since turning professional on October 1, 2002. Logan has fought 11 times this year with back-to-back-to-back contests with Ramazan Palyani, Jesse James Leija and Victoriano Sosa. He then fought and drew with Hector Camacho Jr.

Logan will only get better and should back down just a bit in his young career, get a few tune up fights before going head-to-head with another contender. Logan showed many qualities it takes to be a world champion.

With Camarena winning the WBC World Youth Interim Championship, reigning champion Alex Velardez will have to fight and defeat Camarena within ninety days in order to become the WBC World Youth Champion.

Results of the entire card are as follows:

Alex Bunema (25-4-2) defeated Alberto Mercedes (12-8-1) with a twelve round unanimous decision to remain the WBC Super Welterweight Continental Americas champion. Ayodeji Fadeyi (10-5-1) redeemed his first professional loss by beating John McKinney (8-4-1) by majority decision. Brock Stodden (16-9-1) decisions James Brock (9-19-2).

An entertaining 4 round exhibition was fought between David Hernandez (3-1-1) and Brad Jensen (14-14-3).