By Ken Yates
X-1 World Events put on another event Saturday night at the Neil Blaisdell Arena in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii. In the main Event it was Kala “Kolohe” Hose from Waianae, HI taking on Edwin Aguilar from Mexico. Both Hose and Aguilar wasted no time putting pressure on each other, dirty boxing against the cage with Hose having the dominant position. A quick side step from Aguilar got his back off the cage and caught Hose with a knee to the chin finishing him with some vicious ground and pound, forcing the referee to step in, calling a halt to the action in the very first round.
I had a chance to talk with Hose after the bout and asked what will be his next steps, ” I had another fight lined up but after this fight I want to take some time off and go back to the gym to train,” Hose said.
In the co-main it was hometown favorite Po’ai Suganuma taking on Sang Soo Lee of South Korea. Suganuma started out strong but unfortunately came up short as Lee (16-9) won via unanimous decision to claim the X-1 205-pound state title. From the opening bell everyone in attendance knew that it was going to be a battle of true modern day warriors as both fighters felt each other’s power. Suganuma and Lee took turns dropping each other with accurate power punches, but Suganuma looked to have the upper hand. He set the pace working guard and keeping busy in the clinch, finishing the round strong by outscoring Lee in his guard. Lee, a seasoned veteran, showed his experience by making the necessary adjustments in the second and third rounds. He took control by dropping Suganuma for the second time with a straight right and outscoring him in the clinch and on the mat.
After the fight, Suganuma offered his view on his though bout, “Lee has a good corner and good coaches,” Suganuma said. “I guess Lee’s game plan was to outscore me-as for me, I prefer to finish my fights. The outcome may have been different if I adopted Lee’s game plan, but the fans where happy with the fight and I think it was an entertaining match. This was a learning experience for me and I’ll be back.”
Also fighting was Max “Lil Evil” Halloway from Gods Army in Makaha, HI taking on the X-1 155 lbs state champion Bryson Kamaka in what may have been one of the most anticipated fights of the night. When the bell sounded you could really see the seriousness in both fighters as they both circled each other throwing picture perfect combination to the head as well as to the body. As Kamaka attempted to throw a jab, Halloway timed it perfectly countering with a devastating over hand right that stopped Kamaka in his tracks. As soon as Kamaka fell to the canvas Halloway got side control and started throwing punch after punch until the referee put a stop to the match 3:09 into the first round. When asked what’s next Halloway replied “Well now that I have the 155lbs state title I know people will be coming for it so I will go back to training, train and be ready for whoever comes next”.
In under card action Van Oscar Penvaroff from Kailua-Kona took on California born David Barrios in the 135 lbs bout. Penvaroff needed only 1:46 to put a stop to Barrios with a devastating overhand right. Promoter Danny Padeken awarded Penvaroff with knockout of the night as he will next fight on Nov. 27 in Kailua-Kona’s X-1 show.
Full Undercard results:
Dustin Kimura defeats Sadhu Bott via unanimous decision
Michael Brightonon defeats Evan Lowther via unanimous decision
Collen Mansanas defeats Delbert Grace via KO in R2
Arnold Berdon defeats Kuulei Ohia via unanimous decision
Jared Gonda defeats Jacob Kauwe via Kimura in R1
