Behind the scene at the Riot at the Hyatt – by Sue TL Fox

JULY 2 ARRIVAL/WEIGH-IN REPORT

It was an exciting night at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, California.  Promoter Jerry Hoffman had another sell-out crowd, and people were still lined up to try and buy tickets to this boxing event.  There were six fights on the card that included one women’s bout with Marsha Valley and Gina “Boom Boom” Guidi.  [below photos: Jackie Kallen in Limo; weigh-in with Gina Guidi; Marsha Valley in dressing room (center, photo 8); Lavonne Ludian, past world-class female boxer, and an opponent that I fought in 1977 and had a controversial draw with her in her hometown).

The event began at 7:30 pm, but I had arrived early to talk with  Valley and Guidi and get them to autograph some programs to give a way to boxing fans!    Both fighters appeared to be relaxed, confident and ready for their six rounder.  After returning ringside, as the event was just about ready to begin, I was amazed to see the promoter Jerry Hoffman, turned ring announcer, MC’ing the show!  Hoffman is not only a promoter, but he is a matchmaker and a ring announcer with 15 years of experience.

THE FIGHT – GINA GUIDI VS. VALLEY

First Round:  Both fighters came out punching.  Valley who is much taller than Guidi would punch over Guidi, as Guidi would bulldoze her way inside of Valley, and ducking extremely low. Both fighters appeared to throw punches with caution, feeling each other out.

Second Round:  Valley comes out the aggressor.  As Valley punches, she appeared to have accidentally “almost” thrown a back fist, but does not connect.  Guidi is also aggressive throughout this round, and continues to charge and fight very close in.

Third Round:   Both fighters are continuously throwing punches at each other, and Valley fights Guidi on the ropes.  They get a flurry of exchanges on the ropes in the third round with Guidi connecting more punches.

Four Round:   Guidi continues to brawl Valley, and there is a  lot of clinching.  Guidi ducks down to Valley’s hip level, and it makes the fight look slightly awkward with Valley’s height difference.

Fifth Round:  Guidi comes out punching, and Valley takes the fight on the ropes.  The fight gets more into the “brawl” mode instead of techniques.

Sixth Round:  Valley begins the round by being the aggressor, and Guidi continues to fight inside and both fighters are clinching throughout this round.  They are a little bit tired but the round is very exciting because both fighters fight with a lot of heart.

At the end of the last bell, both fighters raise their hands in victory… but the judges decision went to Guidi by a majority decision.  One judge had the fight a draw 57-57, another had it 58-56 for Guidi, and the third judge scored the fight 59-55 for Guidi. The crowd, nor others around me could believe the last judges scoring!