Slimmed-Down Armijo Hits It Big in Fight at Irvine

From the moment he climbed into the ring Thursday night at the Irvine Marriott, John Armijo looked like a much different fighter.

Armijo had lost six pounds to get down to a career-low 154, and appeared in much better shape.

He also had a new boxing style to go with his slimmer look.

Gone were the wild punches that often hit nothing but air. In their place, Armijo displayed a solid style, using a jab followed by well-placed combinations.

But once he scored a fifth-round knockout of Ernie Valentine, his improved style gave way to wild antics in front of 1,179 spectators.

Armijo (11-1-1), who is billed as the fighting lifeguard from Huntington Beach, was up to his older, crazier ways. He stood over the fallen Valentine (16-15) of Los Angeles, yelling and threatening him with more punishment if he got up.

Once the fight was ruled over, Armijo ran around the ring and bounced off the turnbuckles. He raised his arms in victory, much to the delight of his 75 or so supporters who lined the back of the room and chanted his name often during the bout.

Some friends even lifted Armijo and carried him into the dressing room.

“They can’t call me ‘Fat Boy’ anymore,” Armijo said as his friends cheered on. “I’m still not as strong as I want to be at this weight, but I’m getting there.”

Armijo dominated the action from the outset, winning the first four rounds.

He pumped his right jab into the Valentine’s face almost at will. Armijo turned to his sweeping left after jabs opened Valentine up to score his points.

Valentine spent much of the fight ducking and trying to fend off Armijo’s attack. He never had a chance to control the pace.

Finally, at 56 seconds into the fifth round, Armijo used a pair of jabs to Valentine’s chin, followed by a thundering right, to send him to the floor. Valentine made no attempt to get up, and 10 seconds later it was over.