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Arena Wars January 24

Salem Armory

Main Event for Arena Wars Heavyweight Title
In what will be one of the intriguing heavy weight bouts early in the year, Canadian Brandon Colantonio (6 1 1KO) will face Esera Iosefa (4 1 1KO) in a five round fight. Colantonio stepped into the ring in November to face Jaye Byard for the WBC USA Heavyweight belt, thought the bout was stopped and ruled no contest in the fourth round. Iosefa won a split decision over Nick Mills in his last bout. While each man has only scored one knockout in their previous fights, don’t mistake that for lack of power. In each of their previous fights they have shown the ability to box strategically. Iosefa is tough in close, while Colantonio uses his reach advantage to keep opponents moving.

Co Main for Arena Wars Middleweight Title
Middleweights Anthony Alvarado (6 1 1KO) will step in to face Christian Aguirre (9 13 4KO) in bout scheduled for six rounds. Alvarado’s only loss came by way of a unanimous decision at the hands of Aaron Thompson. Since then, Alvarado has won two, scoring unanimous decisions in each. While Aguirre has gone the distance in each of his last two bouts, he lost both by unanimous decision. Both men have a common opponent in Mike McMillian, Aguirre lost a six rounder to him, while Alvarado won a seven round fight. Aguirre will have the advantage in ring experience, and that he carried knockout power early in his pro career, though Alvarado has shown that he has the ability to go the distance against some tough men.

Featured Bout
In what looks to be one of the more exciting fights on the card, Emmanuel Ojeda (3 1) will face Vasyl Yakymiuk (2 0 1KO) in a four round featherweight bout. If previous bouts foreshadow what might occur in this, expect non stop action. Yakymiuk is a pressure fighter whose fast hands land with power. Ojeda is a good defensive fighter, though he too has shown quick hands and good foot movement to avoid getting caught. Ojeda’s sole loss came to unbeaten Alexis de la Cerda Landin, and Ojeda went the distance. Prior to that fight Ojeda had shown that he could control the action in a round by stepping in close and unleashing effective body shots. Yakymiuk has dominated the action in his two bouts, scoring a second round knockout in his last outing and winning three of four rounds in his professional debut.

Jose Garcia-Ponce (5 0 4KO) will face Brandon Watley (1 4 ) in a super welterweight bout scheduled for six rounds. Garcia-Ponce has looked sharp in each of his pro fights, dispensing the initial four opponents by knocking them out. Watley has gone the distance in each of his five bouts, and the test for him will be to avoid Garcia-Ponce’s power. Watley dropped a close majority decision in his last outing while Garcia-Ponce went the distance to score a unanimous decision in a five round bout. Watley’s win came in a six round bout; this will be Garcia-Ponce’s first time fighting a six round bout.

Arena Wars Featherweight Title
Featherweights Anthony Cruz Herrera (4 0) and Devon Jackson (1 0) will step in to the ring to battle in a fight scheduled for five rounds. Herrera is coming of a split decision win over Blaiwas Eaglepipe, a fight in which he showed his physical toughness. It was physical toughness that propelled Jackson to his initial win as a professional, a unanimous decision in his professional debut. Herrera will have an advantage in rounds fought, facing veteran opponents, and amateur bouts. However, Jackson will likely enter the fight with adrenaline flowing after the excitement he felt after winning his debut. Adding to his credentials, Jackson has an MMA win against UFC flyweight champion Josua Van

Jeremiah Sierra (5 3 2KO) will step in to the ring to fight Gerald Powell-Wood (1 0) in a f bout scheduled for five rounds. Powell-Wood scored a spilt decision win in his first pro fight, one in which he was one round from claiming the unanimous decision. Sierra is coming off a fourth round TKO win against Joseph Aguilar, a fight in which the left handed Sierra used his skill and strength to score the win. Powell-Wood will have to make the adjustments necessary in fighting a southpaw, while Sierra will look to continue to land heavy with his left, forcing Powell-Wood to step in close to negate the power punches.

A four round feather weight bout will see Alan Hernandez (0 3 1) facing Derick Funkhouser (0 2) looking to score their first win as a professional. Both of these men have faced tough opponents, and though they have yet to record a win, do not be lulled into thinking they are not tough fighters. Funkhouser’s previous opponents have a combined record of ten wins and no losses. Hernandez has gone the distance in each of his four fights.

 

Read Richard Baker's article on Oliver McCall, The Wheel of Tao

Updated November 10, 2025. The Pacific Northwest Rankings. See which NW fighters make their debut and which ones move up or down in this edition of the rankings. Let the discussion begin - there is a bit of movement in the newest rankings, and some inactive fighters have been dropped.

Waxing Philosophically. Updated August 8, 2025. Where I address: The connection between television viewing habits and judging a boxing match; British Journalist Nate White gets a 'guest column' in this entry; World (well mostly US) Changes;  Corona19 Changes; Politics, Behavior and Cuba; New Tribalism; Accept, Adjust, Adapt; Civility; Misrepresenting Free Speech; Village Idiots; Stop Blaming Someone Else; Solving Climate Change; Accountablilty: Schools, Teachers, Students, Parents, Government; Free Speech?; What are politicians supposed to DO?; Letting Go of Daily Stress; How US lawmakers are playing you; Travelling to TURKEY - plan your excursion today; An email exchange that points out what is wrong and what is right in Education today; Why Banks Are Failing; New TSA screening procedures; Name calling and Socialism; Bottom Feeders in School, Fans Being a Bit Too Over Anxious; H1N1, 'What Happens in Vegas...', Carry On Luggage, Complaining about Education, 'Existential threats', A High School Musical, The Gallup experience, Non Partisan Politics; Boxing vs MMA, AUSTRALIA! negative campaign adverts, shouts from the crowd, pros and amateurs, ring announcers, contract weights. Because everyone deserves my opinion.

WFC Muckleshoot Casino, Auburn, Washington

Aaron Thompson wins WBF Title, six Amateur bouts on the card

November 7, 2025

Arena Wars Salem, Oregon

Alvarado and Iosefa take home title belts; Sierra and Aguilar in the fight of the night

November 1, 2025, 2025 

Arena Wars Bremerton, Washington

Apostol scores TKO win in main event; Keller wins kick boxing debut

October 25, 2025 

White Delight Promotions and Seven Feathers Casino

Caballero wins in main event, Cruz Herrera and Eaglepipe in a hard fought battle

August 23, 2025 

Roy Jones Jr and Legends Casino

Natasha Spence takes WBA belt on a night with three first round knockouts

August 8, 2025 

White Delight Promotions

Carrillo and Hernandez score wins in the main and co-main events in an action packed night

May 31, 2025 

2026 Fight Schedule *

January 24 Arena Wars Salem Armory, Salem Oregon

February 6 WFC Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma Washington

More to come...

*Subject to Change

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