Showdown at the Crowne – San Diego’s Biggest Little Fight

Posted on | November 15, 2010 | No Comments

City Boxing’s Chris Chatman vs Lester Gonzalez

Bobby D. Presents and Jorge Marron Productions are bringing live boxing to Mission Valley. The next installment of the Coors Light Boxing Series, billed as “Showdown at the Crowne – San Diego’s Biggest Little Fight,” will be held Thursday, November 18, 7pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel San Diego on Hotel Circle North for the first time.

This event showcases two of San Diego’s biggest names in local boxing, Lester “El Cubanito” Gonzalez (11-0-1, 6 KO’s) and Chris “The Last Chapter” Chatman (8-1, 4 KO’s) fighting it out for the California State Super Welterweight title.

It’s rare when you have two very good boxers from the same area fighting against one another. Adding to the intrigue is that both combatants are left-handed and have trained with many of the same sparring partners. In other words, the boxers and their corners will undoubtedly know the other fighter’s strengths and weaknesses.

The 32-year-old Gonzalez is a Cuban defector who hails from Havana. His co-manager, Lou Messina, recently decided to take Gonzalez to see David Gutierrez, a former undefeated pro-boxer and well-respected trainer. Many local pundits consider Gutierrez as among the best trainers in San Diego. With the stakes so high and the difference in skill levels so meager for the upcoming fight, Messina wanted to see if Gutierrez could offer Gonzalez an edge. After the initial two-hour workout, Gutierrez conferred with both Messina and Gonzalez and a plan was set in motion to go forward with Gonzalez’s training at the Gutierrez gym.

Gonzalez’ native country has a storied history of producing great boxers, including Kid Gavilan (107-30-6); Juan Carlos “Pantera Negra” Gomez (48-2-0); Jose Legra (133-12-4); Luis Manuel “El Feo” Rodriguez (107-13-0); and renowned heavyweights Teófilo Stevenson and Félix Savón. Together, the pair dominated every world heavyweight amateur championship from 1972 to 2000.

In Gonzalez’s last fight, he was the recipient of a head butt from Ibraheim King and though the gash brought blood streaming down his face, Gonzalez refused to quit. He persevered to win a unanimous decision. After the fight the wound needed 11 stitches to close. Gonzalez has proven the will to do whatever it takes to maintain his unblemished record, just as fellow Cubans Erislandy Lara (13-0), Odlanier Solis (16-0), and Yuriorkis Gamboa (19-0), who presently fight out of Miami, have done.

“Any fight I have is more experience. I think with every fight we grow,” Gonzalez said. “I feel very confident in myself.”

Gonzalez’s opponent on November 18th is also a transplant to San Diego. Chris Chatman grew up on the South side of Chicago. While fulfilling his Navy commitment on the USS Pinkney here in San Diego, Chatman began to train at City Boxing in downtown with Sergio Melendrez. Then before exiting the Navy, he caught the attention and received the support of City Boxing’s owner Mark Dion. With Dion’s guidance Chatman went on to have a successful amateur career including a Navy Championship, a Golden Gloves Title and a bronze medal in the Nationals. Shortly after that point the decision was made that Chatman was going to turn pro. Under the advice of Dion, Chatman started to train with another one of City Boxing’s experienced trainers, Vernon Lee. Lee taught Chatman the “Philly” stick and move approach of the sport. With both Chatman and Dion knowing the importance to learn different styles and techniques, Chatman is now currently being trained by former Filipino world champion and head boxing trainer at City Boxing Manny Melchor.

“I know this gentleman is going to test me and I’m going to do the same in return,” Chatman said.

Chatman’s last fight on October 8, was scheduled to go six rounds at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. For four rounds he went toe-to-toe with Alberto “Baby Dynamite” Herrera (7-0-1, 5 KO’s). Most of the spectators felt Chatman was the underdog and they were looking for their hometown hero to win easily. They didn’t take into consideration that Chatman’s only loss came by decision to Olympian Demetrius Andrade, October 3 last year in Rhode Island. Chatman’s camp took the fight on short notice, and he missed a golden opportunity to finish Andrade off in what proved to be too great a challenge given the limited time to prepare.

In the Herrera fight, Chatman scored an early knockdown in the first and another in the fourth frame, prompting referee Ray Corona to step in and stop the fight. Stakes are high for both fighters in the upcoming fight, and only one can come out victorious.

“My ability to be inconsistent is my greatest asset,” Chatman said. “I can be orthodox or I can be a brawler. I’m not the type of man to underestimate anybody.”

Other bouts featured at The Showdown at the Crowne include:
*Co-main event: Middleweights – 6 rounds James “El Chocolate” Parison (12-1, 3 KO’s) South San Diego , CA vs. Loren “Rock” Myers (7-9-1, 2 KO’s) of Fresno, CA. Parison is a recently-signed, exciting addition to the stable of fighters managed by Bobby D. Presents and Jorge Marron Productions.

* Featherweights – 4 rounds
Pablo “Bronco” Armenta (3-0-1, 1 KO) South San Diego vs. Ronald “Mad Man” Hurley (4-4-2, 0 KO’s) San Jacinto, CA

* Lightweights – 4 rounds
Emmanuel Robles (1-0, 0 KO’s) San Diego, CA vs. TBA

* Welterweights – 4 rounds
Ernesto Ocon (1-0, 0 KO’s) Los Angeles, CA. vs. TBA

The Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly the Hanalei Hotel) is located at 2270 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley. Doors open at 6:30pm with the first bout scheduled for 7pm. The event is open to all ages and there is plenty of on site parking. Food and drinks will be available. For tickets or more information, call (619) 420-8866 or (619) 743-0698. Tickets start at $25 and can also be purchased by visiting www.SanDiegoFights.com

Downtown 1059 14th Street San Diego, CA 92101