Report/Photos by Boxing Bob Newman
Jesse Uhde’s Hard Knocks Promotions presented a multi-disciplinary combat show featuring boxing, bare knuckle boxing and MMA, on Saturday night in Kalispell, Montana. Majestic Valley Arena, normally a rodeo venue, played host to this event. This write-up will focus on the amateur and pro boxing as well as the bare knuckle bout.
Kicking off the event, were four USA amateur boxing bouts.
Izaak Wagner (Kalispell, MT) vs JJ Delmonico (Kalispell, MT) 85 lbs Exhibition 3 x 2 minutes rounds
Aaron Reed (Kalispell, MT) vs Caleb Olsen (Kalispell, MT) 155 lbs Exhibition 3 x 2 minute rounds
Donte Velarde (Helene, MT) vs Kennedy Lara (Idaho Falls, ID) 140 lbs
This was a legit amateur bout, which saw Lara outwork Velarde over the three rounds to earn a unnanimous decision.
Anthony Espino, (Helena, MT) vs Oziah Heavyrunner (Polson, MT)
This was the amateur bout of the night. Espino was on point with speed and cominations for days. A questionable low blow put Heavyrunner down in the second for an 8 count. Heavyrunner held in there, although getting the worst of matters throughout, which saw Espino winner by unanimous decision.
A short intermission was followed by three MMA matches in the cage. Then it was time for pro boxing.
Tanner Barth from Columbia Falls, MT took on Kalispell’s Justen Newton in a Cruiserweight bout which was a debut for both fighters. This was ation packed from the opening to final bell. Both fighters were rocked, Barth’s nose was bloodied, Newton’s mouthpiece went flying, and both men left everything in the ring. In the end, two judges had it 40-36 while one had it 39-36, all for Newton, who starts out at 1-0, while Barth hard lucks it at 0-1.
Koda Greenwood took on Erik Mendez in a 165 lb. bare knuckle boxing match.
Mendez had too much skill, and confidence as he sent Greenwood to the canvas in each of the first three rounds, then a second trip in the third was the result of a lightning quick jab to the bridge of Greenwood’s nose, splitting it down the bridge for a doctor’s stoppage.
The main event saw Kalispell’s Jaime Miranda take on Spokane, WA’s Armand Dissante, aka Brandon Watley, in a welterweight rematch. Watley (his birth name) looked in full control for the first two rounds, pot shotting Miranda at will, mugging, talking and seemingly toying with Miranda. The third saw a swing in momentum as Miranda dug in and began firing away with abandon, scoring some good shots to Watley’s head. Watley got back on track over the next two rounds, with Miranda trying his best to match his foe blow for blow. In the sixth and final round, Watley unloaded with the kitchen sink but nothing would put Miranda down. The final tallies were 60-54 twice and 59-55 all for the now 1-2 Watley, while Miranda sinks to 2-4, 1 KO. Watley avenges his pro debut loss via majority decision to Miranda back in February of this year.
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