Another Contender Bites The Dust

CABAZON, CALIF. Surviving two knockdowns NABF Title holder Enrique Ornelas pounded his way to victory over Arizona’s Norberto Bravo in middleweight clash on Friday.

Ornelas probably expected an easy fight but Tucson’s Bravo (25-15-3, 14 KOs) didn’t let the size difference faze him at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa. The former Contender reality TV contestant dropped Ornelas twice before the fight was over, but it was not enough.

La Habra’s Ornelas came out firing in the first round and landed some stifling combinations that seemed to wobble Bravo. But a short right hand by the Arizona boxer connected and dropped Ornelas. Referee Lou Moret missed the knockdown and ruled it a slip.

The third round looked like Ornelas would finish Bravo, but a left hook to the back of the head dropped him and this time the referee counted the knockdown. The titleholder got up and resumed the fight.

“Yes he connected, but I was off-balance again,” said Ornelas (27-4, 17 KOs). “I was off-balance both times I was knocked down.”

From the fifth round on Ornelas began punishing Bravo to the body and mixing in some combinations to the head. Slowly Bravo seemed to wilt.

“Those body shots slowed me down,” said Bravo.

After enduring multiple punches in the seventh round Bravo’s corner told the referee to stop the fight.

“They said I was taking too many punches,” Bravo said. “The weight was too much for me.”

Ornelas, who was surprised at his opponent’s grit, said he was his toughest fight yet. But now he wants even tougher competition.

“With all respect I want to fight Kelly Pavlik the champion,” said Ornelas. Pavlik recently defeated Jermain Taylor in a rematch last week. “Bravo was a very tough fighter.”