By ERIC BACA
Valley Press Staff Writer

When it finally came, it only lasted 30 seconds.

The Knight High School graduate and Antelope Valley Boxing Academy representative easily defeated Z's Boxing Tyshawn Sherman Sunday as part of the USA Boxing-sanctioned Jackie Robinson Park Club Show.

The 14th match of the card, Merrill's was the shortest all afternoon.

"I wish it would have lasted a little bit longer," Merrill (1-0) said. "It was too quick. I had a lot of knots in my stomach going in. When the bell rang, I knew I had to get after him and punch him nonstop."

Merrill saw no need to waste time feeling Sherman's style out. From the opening bell, the 19-year-old unleashed his raw, no-holds barred approach on his unprepared opponent, taking full advantage of his extensive reach.

"I love fighting," he said. "I love working out."

Merrill plans on fighting nearly every week in hopes of making a professional career out of his new-found passion.

"I want to do this full time and work my way up," he said.

Merrill wasn't the only AV Boxing Academy fighter making good on his first official contest.

Palmdale graduate Marcus Robinson (1-0) defeated Mike Nolasco of Santa Clarita Boxing Club by decision. In what was the closest match of the 17 recorded, Robinson was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos after the announcement was made.

"I don't even pay attention to any of that," Robinson said. "I was tired. It wasn't even close in my mind. From the first time the bell rang, I knew it was game time."

Making it 3-for-3 for AV Boxing was 11-year-old Ta'Laun Thomas. Keeping Refuse to Loose's Nathan Gomez at bay for the majority of his three-round bout, Thomas let Gomez come to him. Each time he tried, though, Thomas was waiting with a quick combination of hits.

Merrill, Robinson and Thomas highlighted a field that included seven other local fighters from various gyms throughout the Valley.

The host, Jackie Robinson Park Boxing Club, had four competitors in the showcase, including one of the two females on the card, Blanca Raymundo.

Raymundo (6-4) outlasted Santa Maria's Maria Suarez, seven years her senior, to capture the sixth victory of her amateur career.

"(Suarez) was really strong," the 18-year-old said. "I think I did really good."

The subsequent fight, though, yielded the day's only knockout. After coming close earlier, Juan Sandoval (3-2) landed the final blow on Michael Castro of Bakersfield. Castro was unable to get up for several minutes, but was treated by on-site personnel before being released.

Erick Serrano and Nick Hernandez didn't fare as well as their Jackie Robinson teammates. Serrano, 14, lost to Jhordy Ramirez in the second match, while Hernandez lost by decision to Grace Boxing's Sylmar Olvera in the final bout.

Olvera and Hernandez didn't shy away from going head-to-head. With neither fighter backing up, the two traded swings of momentum throughout. The packed crowd stood for the duration and was anything but silent for the six-minute finale.

Olvera was the lone fighter from Grace to win, avenging earlier losses by Antonio Acevedo (0-1) and Hector Torres.

Rounding out the Valley crew was Durango's Joseph Macias. He muscled through onr round with Angel Olea, but a barrage of hits in the second were too much for Macias, 11, and the match was called.

The four-hour event wasn't without its moments of quirkiness, though. In the second-to-last match, Victorville's Darwin Rogers appeared to be thrown to the mat twice by San Fernando's Carlos Aguilar. Rogers' trainers watched incredulously as the referee opted not to disqualify Aguilar. In the end, Rogers won by decision anyway.

"I could have done better," Rogers said. "But it's what the judges see."

With fighters ranging in age from nine to 25 and weight - 71 to 241 pounds - a variety of skill sets and talents was on display, a true boxing showcase was taken in by the couple of hundred spectators that filled Jackie Robinson Gymnasium.

"This is better than the pros," said Jose Rodriguez, head coach of Jackie Robinson Boxing. "That's what they fight for right there - a trophy and a clap."

In line with that dream, which includes fighting in the 2016 Olympics, Rojas will continue to take on fights. The boxer is slated for the National P.A.L.S. tournament in Oxnard Sept. 27.

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