Boxers put on a show during 'Hot August Fights'

Saturday's "Hot August Fights" - held in front of more than 200 fans at Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park - was to be a homecoming and showcase for Carson City welterweight Jose "Chuy" Elizondo, a 19-year-old on the verge of hitting boxing's big time.

But with the no-show of Elizondo's opponent - Omar Zalzidar of Arce Boxing Club - Elizondo was left without a dance partner in the main event.

And while Elizondo did put on an entertaining exhibition with fellow Bruno's Boxing Club member Flavio Cordoza, it was up to Bernard Hamilton (of Rite of Passage) and Dustin Sosa (of Bruno's) to toe the line in what was originally scheduled to be the semi-main event.

The 21-year-old Sosa, in only his eighth fight, tried to take it to the younger but more experienced Hamilton, but in the end it was the power and speed of the 17-year-old Hamilton which prevailed, as he scored a technical knockout in 1 minute, 50 seconds of the third round of their 195-pound bout.

Hamilton, of Gary, Ind., improved to 31-8 with the impressive victory, landing a brutal four-punch combination to drop the already stunned Sosa to put an end to the contest. Earlier in the round, Hamilton - who won the Nevada Golden Gloves heavyweight championship in March - had notched a standing-eight count with a sizzling 10-punch combination.

Hamilton had also bloodied Sosa's nose - forcing another standing-eight count - toward the end of the second round.

In spite of his opponent's superior pedigree, it was Sosa who reportedly asked for the fight.

"In boxing, a lot of people call each other out," said the muscular Hamilton, who began his boxing career about five years ago and is known as "the Hit Man" back in Indiana and "Ham Bone" at ROP. "Everything speaks for itself when you get in the ring. I get in the best shape I can."

Wheras Midas was able to turn everything he touched into gold, Hamilton - who is studying culinary arts at ROP - seems to have the ability to turn everything he eats into muscle.

"I'm not trying to brag, but if I hit anyone flush with a right or left, I haven't run into anybody who can stand up to it," said Hamilton, who plans on turning pro once he completes his G.E.D. at ROP and head back to Indiana to train with John Taylor.

Turning pro was also on the mind of Elizondo, who looked sharp against Cordoza, moving side-to-side and snapping out a nice right jab which set up his combinations.

"He was very sharp, very smart," said Jose Elizondo Sr., who along with Victor Bruno, trains Chuy. "We're going to Sacramento next week for a fight - a real one. (When he goes pro), we'll be staying local. We're going to represent Carson City big time."

Chuy said he was somewhat disappointed that his fight with Zalzidar fell through, but he did not take it personally.

"I was bummed out," Elizondo said. "He didn't come for his own issues - maybe he had something else to do. I know who he is. I like the guy."

There was no sign of the injured right ankle Elizondo suffered last year in a fatal car accident.

"So far, so good," he said. "In the beginning it was weak when I twisted and turned. But I just practiced and practiced and it got better."

Elizondo said he would be attending Western Nevada College to become a surgical technician, but for now he plans to finish up his amateur career with surgical precision.

"Early in 2008 I'm going to fight in the Golden Gloves and USA Men's seniors and see how far I get," Elizondo said. "After that, I'm looking at going pro."

Boxing seems to run in the Elizondo genes. Earlier on the card, Elizondo's 8-year-old brother - also a southpaw -chose technique over brawling in his three-round victory over Yuba City's Brandon Lee in their 60-pound bout.

The bout was one of five victories for Bruno's Boxing Club. Bruno's George Contreras picked up his first win after losing his first two bouts, taking a first-round TKO over Salvidar Pena, of Arce Boxing, in their 105-pound match.

Using a long left, the 15-year-old Contreras scored a standing-eight count before another left dropped Pena on his back for the stoppage at 1:15.

Bruno's Michael Gascon scored two standing-eights before a big finish resulted in a first-round TKO over ROP's Garrick Peals in a 150-pound encounter.

Gabe Sanchez (180) and Justin Mann (185) also notched TKOs for Bruno's. Sanchez stopped ROP's Casey Roadruck at 54 seconds of the second round, while Mann mauled ROP's Brandon Escamilla, dropping and stopping his opponent 8 seconds into the second round.

In other bouts:

• Abraham Medina (Arce) scored a three-round decision over Harley Sampson, of the Reno Warriors, in their 75-pound bout.

• Andrew Morales (Arce) stopped Bruno's Michael Madore in their 110-pound contest. Madore was not allowed out to begin the second round.

• Oscar Carillo (Arce) scored a three-round victory over ROP's Lionel Contreras in their 130-pound fight.

• Josue Gayton (Azteca) stopped Kenneth Austin at 1:59 of round three in a 175-pound slugfest.

• ROP's Jeremy Lloyd boxed his way to a three-round decision over Bruno's Mario Ramirez in their 150-pound match.

• Randall Salas (Reno Warriors) stopped Bruno's Casey Carlisle at 1:08 of round three in their 190-pound bout.