RGV Fighting Notebook: Treviño shines against taller opponent in STFC 12 main event
Those who braved Friday night’s stormy weather and made it out to South Texas Fighting Championship 12: Tuff Enough at McAllen Convention Center witnessed some strong performances by local fighters.
In the main event scheduled for five, five-minute rounds, Frank Treviño (6-0) of Edinburg successfully defended his middleweight championship by stopping Will Florentino (4-2) of Jersey City, Texas, with an armbar lock in the first round.
The matchup of 185-pounders featured the 5-foot-9 Treviño going against the 6-3 Florentino. Prior to Friday’s show, Treviño said he considered it his toughest match against his tallest opponent. But just like four of Treviño’s five previous matches, it ended in the first round. He’s never had to fight beyond the second round.
"I’m very happy that I got the win the way I did," Treviño said. "It was real overwhelming because I was feeling the pressure with my family and friends watching plus (well-known UFC competitor) Wanderlei ("The Axe Murderer" Silva). I didn’t want to let anyone down, so to win that way felt great."
Treviño hopes to fight again within the next three months and could possibly drop to 170 pounds for his next match.
Danny Salinas, a 160-pounder from Edinburg, stopped his opponent by submission just 40 seconds into the opening round.
STFC 12: Tuff Enough promoter Paul Olmeda said not all of the local fighters on the show were as successful. He said Erik "El Goyito" Ruvalcaba came out on the short end of a controversial three-round decision.
"Still, I was basically very satisfied with our (local) fighters," Olmeda said. "It was a successful event, even though attendance was a little lower than previous shows because of the thunderstorms that night. You can’t compete with Mother Nature.
"It was great to have Wanderlei in attendance," Olmeda added. "He signed a lot of autographs for everyone."
Olmeda said his next cagefighting event is planned for Oct. 9 at South Padre Island Convention Centre to coincide with SPI BikeFest.
UPCOMING
Imperial ED Promotions has announced that a boxing show, billed as "Noche de Box Bicentenario," is set for Sept. 18 at Hidalgo’s State Farm Arena. The promoters say WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts) of the Philippines will be in attendance.
Golden Boy Promotions and Anthony Cavazos Promotions are teaming up again to present a "Solo Boxeo" show televised by Telefutura on Nov. 12 at State Farm Arena. Weslaco lightweight Omar "Panterita" Figueroa (10-0, eight knockouts) is expected to fight in the main event.
Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.
