Mike Smyth/ Tahoe Onstage photos
The main boxing event at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino between Kendo “El Tremendo” Castaneda and Stan “The Man” Martyniouk lasted all but six rounds.
Castaneda topped off his impressive outing in the ring with a sixth-round TKO to improve to 17-0. Martyniouk falls to 20-3.
In a fight between young and old, young prevailed. The 25-year-old Castaneda landed several crushing blows to the 34-year-old Martyniouk that ultimately forced a stoppage from referee Vic Drakulich.
Castaneda attacked Martyniouk’s body with strong right-handed blows, which led to lightning-quick combinations on the ropes.
“He was blocking his body very well,” Castaneda said post-fight. “I knew those shots were getting to him so he started blocking. … That’s where I started aiming for the head and brought him down.”
Both fighters traded shots with each other. But Castaneda saved his energy during the final rounds. His determination paid dividends as the fight progressed.
“Mentally, I just huffed and puffed,” he said. “I just always stay huffing and puffing in life … I just stayed moving and working. I don’t get tired that way.”
Castaneda dedicated tonight’s victory to his fallen uncle, who passed away two weeks ago. With each blow, Castaneda felt his presence and guidance.
“He always supported my boxing since I was a kid,” he said. “I know he was with me in the ring tonight.”
From the first-round bell, Castaneda attacked Martyniouk on the ropes and corners. He picked his spots pranced around the ring to keep his feet in motion.
Martyniouk was gassed by the third round. He held onto Castaneda to catch his breath and escape the edges of the ring. The young super lightweight took advantage with a crushing right hook at the bell.
Castaneda showcased some confidence in the fourth round. In between punches, he talked to Martyniouk and showed a gleaming smile.
Both fighters previously sparred with each other. Their sparring conversation carried to the ring.
“He was actually talking to me, he’d be like ‘my turn, my turn,’ ” he said. “I don’t really talk. I don’t really say what I’m gonna do, I just do it.”
Martyniouk came out with energy to start the fifth round. He landed a pair of left hooks to the body and followed it up with a jab to the head. But Castaneda finished the round strong with a shot to the nose.
By the sixth round, Castaneda pounced on the fatigued Martyniouk with a vicious combination at the corner turnbuckles. Drakulich signaled the end of the round and “El Tremendo” raised in hands in victory.
Castaneda entered the match with a Michael Meyers mask. But his strong showing in the ring has pointed toward a bright future ahead.
“Next is big things,” he said. “It’s gonna be great.”
— Isaiah Burrows
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