Dream Fight: Ruben Olivares vs. Carlos Zarate
By Greg “Stats” Gorecky.
Mexican Shootout
This is a much anticipated match-up of two of the finest Bantamweights to ever grace the division. The negotiations went very smoothly, and the only problem was securing a venue for these two great champions.
After the venue was chosen, the fight was on, as Ruben Olivares and Carlos Zarate agreed upon Estadio Azteca. More than 120,000 fans entered the stadium to watch these two great warriors. Carlos Zarate was led to the ring by Cuyo Hernandez who had once trained Olivares, and was accompanied by cutman, Chuck Bodak.
Olivares was led to the ring by his new trainer Ignacio Beristain, as well as his cutman, Tony Rivera. Following the introductions of ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, the fight will be underway in just a moment!
Round 1
Both fighters meet at ring center as Olivares lands a glancing hook off the chin of Zarate and follows it up by landing a combination to the body.
Olivares works his way inside and lands a wicked uppercut, as Zarate has trouble getting started here in the first round. He continues to press forward landing a left hook to the body and follows it up with a straight right hand to head of Zarate.
As we enter the final minute Zarate has yet to score with any meaningful punches. Olivares lands a hook to the jaw before Zarate responds with combination to the body. Olivares scores well on the inside and Zarate counters with a vicious left hook to the body making Olivares wince as we come to the bell ending the opening round.
Round 2
Both fighters meet at ring center and trade punches on the inside with Zarate coming out on top of that exchange. He continues to score on the inside with a wicked right cross to the head of Olivares, and he backs away.
Olivares takes a combination from Zarate and responds with a vicious right hook that stuns Zarate. The action moves to the ropes and Zarate scores again on the inside as the round comes to a close.
Round 3
As the third round begins Zarate scores with a big right cross while Olivares counters with a devastating uppercut that sends Zarate staggering into the ropes. Olivares follows him there and they trade punches along the ropes. Olivares lands a jab and Zarate still looks as if he may be hurt as we come to the end of round three.
Round 4
Olivares starts fast here in round 4. He scores with an uppercut to the head and follows it with a combination on the inside that has Zarate covering up. He continues to move forward with heavy hooks on the inside and follows it up with a wicked right cross. Zarate’s right eye begins to swell. Olivares lands a big left hook as the swelling continues to increase. Larry Rozadilla is forced to step in as we come to the bell. Huge round for Olivares.
Round 5
Both fighters were given encouragement in their corners between rounds and Chuck Bodak reduces the swelling around the right eye of Zarate. Olivares doubles up on the hook to the body and follows it up with a right cross to the head.
Zarate comes right back with a big left hook and shakes Olivares! Olivares responds immediately, landing a terrific hook to the head of Zarate followed by a big right hand. Zarate ducks into an uppercut that almost floors him as we come to the bell!
Round 6
Despite the pounding he took in the fifth round, Zarate appears relatively fresh for the start of round six. Once again, Bodak did a nice job on his eye. Zarate looks to get the upper hand and turn the tide here in the 6th. They exchange in ring center. Olivares scores with a right hand to the jaw, but Zarate comes right back with a sizzling left hook to the head of Olivares.
Both fighters trade evenly throughout the rest of the round in what thus far is the most competitive round of the fight. The crowd is on their feet as the bell rings.
Round 7
Oilvares was spurred on in his corner by Nacho Beristain between rounds. Zarate’s eye is really showing signs of considerable swelling.
Ruben lands a hard combination that rocks Carlos back on his heels. At this point, he is having real trouble seeing the punches coming, but comes back with a hard right hand followed by a wicked left hook to the ribs. Olivares continues to fire back, and lands a left hook in combination as we come to the bell.
Round 8
The eighth round starts slowly. Olivares suddenly lands a terrific left hook to the body that drops Zarate… Larry Rozadilla picks up the count…
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Zarate rises on unsteady legs! Olivares is known as a great finisher, but he fails to follow it up. After more than a minute, Zarate seems to have cleared his head as we come to the bell. Ruben lands a vicious left hand at the bell and the crowd is on their feet!
Round 9
The swelling was reduced between rounds in the corner of Zarate. He takes a hard right hook to the body from Olivares. Zarate comes right back with a solid right cross to the head and follows with a vicious left hook to the head. The action slows until late in the round when both fighters traded punches at close range. We come to the bell with Olivares pinned along the ropes.
Round 10
As we begin round ten the swelling around the right eye of Zarate is quite pronounced. Olivares lands a tremendous uppercut that staggers him and he is hurt with a follow-up cross. Olivares blasts Carlos with a wicked combination and Zarate goes down for the second time in the fight…
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Zarate rises and looks shaken, but Rozadilla is letting it go on. He takes a hard hook from Olivares followed by a right cross. Carlos Zarate is in serious trouble! Olivares fires punches furiously…and finally a combination knocks Zarate through the ropes, and out of the ring!
Rozadilla picks up the count…….
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10… and Zarate is out cold!
Olivares celebrates with his cornermen to the delight of the crowd.
Here is Jimmy Lennon with the call…….
Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner by knockout at 1:59 of the 10th round is –
“Rockabye” Ruben Olivares!
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Title Bout Championship Boxing Computer Simulation
The program used to simulate The Boxing Magazine.com dream fights runs in compiled basic. It consists of several thousand lines of code and over two-dozen routines and sub-routines – cross checking factors such as, ring position, the fighter’s physical condition, accumulated damage, status of cuts and any special strategies that may be employed. Almost 100 variables are constantly monitored during a given fight.
I wanted Zarate to win this fight! I can picture it unfolding the way it did, though.