Fans had mixed emotions about the April 8th card billed Turf War: San Diego vs. Calexico held at the Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego. The second installment of the Coors Light Boxing Series, presented by Bobby D. Presents, in association with Jorge Maroon Productions, left fans wanting more.

Chris “SD Kid” Martin (17W-0W, 6KOs) of San Diego, CA successfully defended his California State Super Bantamweight Championship against Ruben “Finito” Lopez (14-W-8L-1D, 13KOs) of Calexico, CA in the 10-round main event.

The “SD Kid” landed several body shots and quick combos throughout the fight. He answered the crowds pleads for an uppercut landing a few in the 4th round. Fans broke out their cell phones in the 5th round trying to film Martin as he caught Lopez with a dizzying fury of punches.

The 6th round had fans cheering on their feet as both fighters went all out. Lopez was knocked down and rattled by Martin’s overhand left. His corner called an end to the fight prior to entering the 7th round. Martin was awarded the TKO and remains undefeated.

“I could have done a lot better,” the 23-year-old said. “He was catching me with a couple of body shots. I think I could have pushed myself a little more. I started resting. I was content with what I was doing.”

Martin made the fight look easy as he left injury free but said he was surprised by his opponents’ ability to take the punishment.

“He was working the body, it wasn’t devastating but I felt it,” he said. “I was just expecting him to come forward, we prepared for that. I was connecting solid but he just wouldn’t do down.”

The 5'7", 122-pounder said he is eager to fight soon, even as early as May. Although he loves the local area, fighting for his family and friends, he said he’s at a plateau and wants to take his career to the next level.

“I want to fight as soon as possible, I feel good. I want to fight bigger names,” he said, throwing out that he would like to face Rico Ramos (15W-0L, 9KOs).

Martin said he is ready to face guys with a different boxing style.

“I think I can adapt to anything,” he smiled. “Whatever they’re doing I’m going to do something better.”

The 6-round semi main event left fans wanting more. The light flyweight bout between Amaris Quintana (2W-0L-2D, 0KOs) of La Mesa, CA and Melissa McMorrow (3W-1L-3D, 0KOs) of San Jose, CA was a rematch as the women drew in their June 4, 2009 fight at the Four Points. Both fans and boxers are looking for a third fight as the April 8th bout was ruled a split decision with judges scoring it 57-57, 58-56 and 59-55.

Quintana improved on staying away from the ropes and was quick with her counter-punches. Her trainer, David Gutierrez, said he thinks Quintana took the first three fights. She landed punches, controlled herself and stayed off the ropes. Quintana caught a few punches from McMorrow in the 2nd round but quickly returned the fury of punches.

McMorrow left Quintana with a bloody nose after the 4th round and landed a few body shots. Both women were drained in the 6th round but managed to bring their all. Quintana took a few punches to the face and the final round went to McMorrow.

The crowd angrily booed as the announcer delivered the final blow of the fight, the judges had ruled it a split decision. It’s hard to tell who was more disappointed, the fighters or the fans.

“(McMorrow) didn’t really land a lot of clean punches,” Gutierrez said. “She was just in there.”

Quintana was pleased with her improvements from the first fight but knows she still has some things to work on.

“I just have to work harder next time,” the 20-year-old said. “I threw more 1-2-3 combos this fight. I definitely want a rematch.”

McMorrow was just as disappointed with the fight.

“I was angry,” she said. “I really felt I had won. This is the second time I come out here for a draw.”

Both boxers are looking for a third fight in San Jose.

Chris “Toro” Chatman (7W-1L, 3KOs) of San Diego, CA defeated Steve Macomber (3W-8L-1D, 1KOs) of Lakeside, CA in the 6-round super middleweight event. The fight was stopped at 2:51 into the third round and Chatman was awarded the TKO. The event was also a rematch as Chatman defeated Macomber by unanimous decision in their 4-round middle weight event on February 25, 2010 at the Four Points.

Macomber may have had the power, but he lacked the speed. Chatman entertained the crowd with his athleticism as he danced his way out of the corner in the 2nd round. Thanks to his quick feet he was able to dodge many of Macomber’s punches.

Chatman took Macomber to the ropes in the 3rd round and landed countless punches. Macomber couldn’t retaliate and was knocked down. He rose to his feet, took a few steps but was caught by Chatman’s left hook to his face where he was knocked down for the last time. The fight was stopped and Chatman received a TKO.

Luis Sanchez (0W-1L, 0KOs) of San Diego, CA lost his professional debut against Artur Bernetsyan (2W-0L, 1KOs) of Armenia in the 4-round super featherweight. Judges called the fight in the final round and awarded Bernetsyan with the TKO.

Nearly 900 fans were in attendance for the second installment of the 2010 Coors Light Boxing Series presented by Bobby D. Presents in association with Jorge Marron Productions.

The fight was opened with a memorial 10 count for several members of the boxing community who recently passed away.

Lorraine Chargin succumbed to her battle with cancer on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the age of 79. She was married to boxing promoter Don Chargin for 49 years and co-promoted hundreds of fights together. The two were more than husband and wife, they were business partners, best friends and matchmakers.

Another tragedy occurred on Wednesday night as 52-year-old volunteer trainer Hector Gil was shot and killed at the Pacific Coast Boxing Gym in Vista, CA. Peter Moreno, 56, another trainer, was shot. The third victim was 21-year-old Ricky Gutierrez, who fought at the Four Points on February 25th. Both men were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive.

The 10 count was in honor of the boxing community’s fallen loved ones.

By Brandi Perez [San Diego Fights | www.sandiegofights.com]