IBA SUPER FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION ESCALANTE IS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ?FIGHTER OF THE YEAR?
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 07 Jan 2014
Escalante.
IBA super flyweight champion Bruno Escalant has been named Northern California?s ?Fighter of the Year? for 2013 after he won the world title in a tough battle with Michael Ruiz Jr last December 7 at Sports House in Redwood City.
A report from Mario Serrano of the team of Escalante said ?Everything you look for in a fighter of the year, Bruno Escalante did this year. It was Escalante?s constant work rate fighting five times with two main events spots both starting and ending the year and three co-main event spots sandwiched in between the middle of the year.?
Escalante who was a one time sparring partner of 2012 ?Fighter of the Year? Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire was originally from Cebu City in the Philippines but moved to Hawaii when he was eight years old.
A backgrounder on the 5?2? Escalante said he dreamed of making a career as a professional basketball player but his height made him change his mind and after noticing the success of many fighters who were his height decided that boxing would give him the fame, fortune and opportunity he was seeking.
Escalante started off with a wild fight against Rigoberto Casillas that he won easily on the scorecard, but traded a bit more than one might have hoped. He then scored two dominant KO wins using one of his patent punches the left straight to the belly or as Escalante sometimes refers to it as ?The Mayweather?.
In September, Escalante received his toughest fight since his lone professional loss to Matthew Villanueva on June 23, 2012 when he battled very tough Joseph Rios, who reportedly ?bullied him at times and used his physicality to move Escalante around the ring.?
Escalante needed to win the last round to seal the win and he delivered by putting on his best in that f ateful round to score an impressive win.
Mario Serrano reports that next came the IBA title shot when he defeated an opponent in what was supposed to be his toughest test to date in Mike Ruiz Jr.
In a report from ringside on the title fight Robert Hough said Escalante who fights out of San Carlos City beat the American southpaw Ruiz using ?precise power and effective energy? in a high-action fight with one judge scoring it an even 95-95 while the two other judges had Escalante a comfortable winner by margins of 98-92 and 97-93.
Ruiz Jr., came forward consistently with free-swinging aggression and Escalante mixed things up in response.
In a post fight interview Escalante said ?I wanted to show everything I can do: work off the jab, fight inside and just fight.It was a tough fight and I think it was an exciting one for the crowd; he came to fight, that?s for sure. I had to work hard, but that?s what I need.?
Ruiz had previously split two amateur fights with the 25 year old Escalante who in the past had sparred with 2012 ?Fighter of the Year? Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire who is a good friend.
The 24 year old Ruiz who is f rom Fresno, California appeared disappointed after the judges decision was announced. He said ?I was attacking him and landing all the time. He got maybe one or two rounds and he caught me with a good shot in the fifth, but I recovered in that round.?
With the win Escalante improved to 11-1-1 with 5 knockouts while Ruiz dropped to 9-4-1 with 3 knockouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay reaches Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Pistons defeated Mavericks in NBA Game 34 in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025