By Herman Delgado
King’s Promotions out of Philadelphia, PA, in association with Warriors Edge Boxing Promotions in El Paso, put on a much needed professional boxing event on November 3, 2023. A fight card that took place at the legendary El Paso County Coliseum, showcasing local El Paso boxing talent and fight fans were not disappointed. Headlining the card was middleweight Jorge “El Jaguar” Tovar facing off against veteran fighter Marcelo Bzowski out of San Antonio, Texas, by way of Argentina. A journey man who wasted no time in getting fight fans excited for their fight…and that was just at the official weigh-ins. Tovar and Bzowski went back and forth at the weigh-ins…hurling insults at each other. Weigh-ins complete and the stage was set! Both fighters let their gloves do the talking. Tovar took the fight to Bzowski, but the veteran Argentinian used his experience and movement to avoid Tovar’s big shots and heavy shots to the body. Tovar scored a unanimous decision and went the distance for the first time in his young career. “I’m glad the fight went the distance, I learned what it was to go six rounds and I also needed it…to help my career,” said Tovar. “Because eventually I’m going to be fighting tougher guys and I want to be ready when I face those challenges.” On the horizon for Team Tovar in 2024, is the possibility of getting a fight against Albuquerque’s Clinton Chavez who is 7-1 (4KO), but that match-up is in the hands of his newly signed promoter, Marshall Kauffman. “I want to fight Chavez…I want to make a statement!” said Tovar. “I want to fight big names; I don’t want to be one of those fighters that never get tested.”
On the undercard and co-main event was Stephanie “The Enforcer” Han, extremely popular in the Sun City, a fan favorite, and well respected law enforcement officer in this community; and her pro career is just getting started. Han faced off against Simone Da Silva (11-27) from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Han in only her fifth professional fight, moved from fighting four rounders to taking on a seasoned veteran in an action packed eight rounder. “Fighting an eight rounder improves my chances of getting better and more challenging opportunities in 2024,” said Han. “My team and trainer are working with promoters and feel this is a good move for me.” Han went the distance with Da Silva, earned a unanimous decision, and feels that going the distance with a seasoned veteran was a great experience that will help her in the future. Da Silva’s record is not too good, but Da Silva has been inside the ring with some tough and world-ranked opponents. “She’s got a good chin, she’s been in the ring with some tough fighters”, said Han. “Just this past year she’s faced two Olympians and went the distance, so I knew she came to fight…she’s good. She hit me and it hurt me, I knew she had a lot of power, so my skills took over and it was definitely a learning experience for me.” Han’s physical conditioning has never been something to question, because in every fight that I have been ringside, I see how well conditioned she comes into the ring and how well she performs. She’s the true definition of a professional fighter, and she summed it up for me, “For me it’s just work and training, so it’s a lot of sacrifice…and staying committed,” said Han. “I’m always doing something every day…I really don’t get a day of rest, and if I do rest, my rest days are doing my sit-ups and push-ups.”
Amy Salinas (6-4) another local talented female fighter from right next door in Las Cruces, New Mexico, had a rematch bout with Ashley Sciscente (6-5) from Charlotte, North Carolina. Both fighters went back and forth for the full eight rounds, but in the end Salinas earned a hard fought unanimous decision. Their first match took place in Philadelphia, PA, back in May 2023. Different location but the same outcome and decision as in their previous fight…all judges in favor of Salinas. Sciscente and her team were not too pleased with the decision, but from the sound of the crowd, everyone was in agreement and pleased with both their performance. Salinas was the one putting on the pressure, slipping punches, doing some damaging counter-punching, and displaying some precise work to the body…the perfect recipe for a win. For now Salinas and her team are taking a two-week break. “I felt great after the fight, this is my second eight rounder, and I felt motivated with the great crowd in attendance,” said Salinas.
Fight Results: Josh Hatch, 2-0 (1KO) EP, TX, W-UD4 over Shadi Shawareb, 9-5-2 (5 KO) Oklahoma City, OK; Victor Aranda , 2-0 (2KO) EP, TX, KO1 (1:37) over Breydon Glaude, 0-1, Ft. Worth, TX; Brittany Sims, 5-3 (3KO) Salem, OR, KO1 (1:45) over Noemie Bosques, 12-9-3 (2KO) St. Petersburg, FL; Amy Salinas, 6-4, Las Cruces, NM, W-UD8 over Ashley Sciscente, 6-5 (2KO) Charlotte, NC; Stephanie Han, 5-0 (1KO) EP, TX, W-UD8 over Simone Da Silva, 17-27 (6KO), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Jorge Tovar, 7-0 (6KO) EP, TX, W-UD6 over Marcelo Bzowski, 11-24-4, San Antonio, TX.
