Mesa's Micky Scala, other locals earn Fight Club PHX wins

A full night of boxing and mixed martial arts ended well after 11 p. m. on April 18, with Micky Scala of Mesa making quick work of opponent Braulio Lopez with a knockout shortly into the first round of boxing in the main event.

Scala basked in the cheers from a large group of fans in gray T-shirts bearing his logo. He celebrated a homecoming, with his previous three fights in New York state and his next one there, too, as he fulfills a contract with a promotion there. Saturday's inaugural Fight Club PHX delivered knockouts, a bloody slugfest that went the full six rounds, and a crowd of what looked like several hundred people who were treated to a different kind of atmosphere for fights.

All 10 of the bouts took place either in twilight or under the night sky outdoors at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. In between office spaces, beneath second-floor decks, tall buildings and beneath lighted palm trees, seats surrounded the octagon and boxing ring set up adjacent to shops and eateries. It wasn't the most ideal of outdoor spaces for optimal views for everyone who attended, but the fights themselves moved quickly and were action-packed.

All seven boxers with local ties came away victorious, supported by a savvy crowd such as those that support bigger-name promotions that come through a few times a year. "It exceeded my expectations," said event promoter John Lennon of Northstar Sports Advocates. "I didn't think as many people would come, to be totally honest.