Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- As the sun set at the 11 Area field Tuesday night, pink and yellow hues streaked through the sky’s puffy clouds, adding a beautiful backdrop for a historic night at Camp Pendleton.
But for the headline-grabbing boxers who stepped into the ring, the only colors that mattered were Red, White and Blue.
“This was an honor to come here and show the Marines a good time,” said former Lightweight champion Julio Diaz, who won Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ Salute to America’s Heroes’ main event in front of an announced crowd of 7,395 and a national television audience on ESPN2.
The California-native Diaz stopped his journeyman opponent Russell Jones in the first round with a powerful left hook to earn his 32nd victory — 24 by knock out — in 35 fights. But his performance wasn’t what had the Marines hooting and hollering the most. That distinction belonged to the card’s opening act, Eric “Butterbean” Esch.
The 370-pound Heavyweight spent most of the first two rounds against Rick Zufall, in the middle of the ring, watching his much-smaller, 232-pound opponent keep his distance.
“Stop running,” Esch begged as Zufall did his best to avoid the gigantic Alabama native.
When Esch finally caught Zufall, it was ugly as he pummeled him in the corner with a fury of roundhouse hooks, stopping Zufall with 21 seconds remaining in the third round.
But when the fight was over, all Esch could do was thank the men who wear camouflage to work every day.
“These guys risk their life for me, so it’s the least I could do to come out,” said Esch, who now has 53 knockouts to his credit and is leaving in two days for Beijing, China for a big payday fight on Aug. 20.
One boxer who wasn’t on hand — after agreeing to compete in front of the troops — was “Playboy” covergirl Mia St. John. The crowd-pleasing boxer is also scheduled to fight overseas this month. Her decision not to show up — or even call after skipping Monday’s weigh-in — was a shock to Sycuan Ringside Promotions promoters.
But it put Esch’s willingness to risk the chance of injury — with a larger amount of money on the horizon — in perspective.
“If I would have been injured tonight, it would have been tough (bleep),” Esch said. “This fight was more important to me. ... It was my chance to give back. I really appreciate what they do for me.”
For ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas, there’s no way the boxing community could ever do enough free shows for the military.
“I just wish we could do more for these guys,” said Mike Tyson’s former trainer Atlas, who was one of several famous boxing personalities ringside. “We can never come close to repaying (the Marines) for what they do for us.”
The card also included several other bouts, including a Lightweight matchup between Ricardo Dominguez and Rafael Ortiz. Dominguez (15-1-2, 9 KOs) won his eight-round battle by decision.
And the Marines on hand were given a chance to cheer for one of their own, Yuni Perez, who won a unanimous decision in three rounds over the Navy’s Christopher Navarro.
“This is the first time Camp Pendleton has had a show like this, and I’m just proud to be here,” the 145-pound Perez said after dominating his opponent.
The women’s Super Flyweight battle between San Diego’s Heather Donoho and Florida’s Mirasol Miranda was also packed with excitement. Donoho won by decision.