Controversy and the fighting game often go hand-in-hand. While we are aware of the controversial decisions seen on the big stage of boxing and MMA, far too often it is fighters on the local circuit who get screwed over repeatedly. Without the safety of television cameras shining a light on dubious decisions and verdicts, fighters toiling in “dark” cards are often jerked around with little to no recourses to aid in their justice. Fort Worth’s Durwyn Lamb is no stranger to such controversy. The boxer/MMA fighter/trainer has experienced his fair share of questionable decisions while battling in the ring and cage. However, it was Lamb’s MMA debut this past November that had many in the fight community seeing red.
On November 6, 2010 Lamb traveled to San Antonio to make his professional MMA debut on the undercard of a Kick Ass Promotion card. His opponent for the evening was San Antonio native Joseph Hinojosa, a fighter who had a 1-0 mark heading into his fight with Lamb. However, as the fight begun it was clear that Lamb’s speed and unorthodox muay thai/boxing hybrid style was going to cause Hinojosa some trouble. Despite being his first professional MMA fight Lamb utilized his edge in reach and speed to batter and bloody Hinojosa throughout the opening round. By cage side accounts, the cage resembled a crime scene with Hinojosa’s blood splattered on the canvas, the cage walls, and all over the fighters themselves.
Of course things quickly get fishy in the second round. After successfully getting a takedown, Hinojosa let loose a flurry of arm punches that that did no damage to Lamb who was working to get back up. Questionably, the referee inexplicably waived a halt to the contest with Lamb declared the loser by TKO. Fans in attendance (the non-partisan fans at least) along with those who had purchased the card via PPV online stream were shocked. Why was it that Hinojosa could eat a barrage of punishment with no referee interface, but the minute that Lamb was put in a precarious position, the fight was halted?
All of this brings me to the now. Looking to rinse the bitter taste of his last fight from his mouth Lamb is in route to El Paso to engage in his second professional MMA bout. Lamb will battle Paco Castillo (2-9) on the undercard of the Fight for Pride card taking place this Saturday at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center in El Paso, Texas. In preparation of this bout, Lamb has engaged in a tireless camp which includes extensive training in wrestling and muay thai along with boxing strategy by the respected Tony Cabello out of the Reyes Boxing Gym.
Despite having to contend with a list of personal issues leading into this fight, Lamb is confident that this battle with Castillo will serve as a cathartic release. After all, the hard-knock life is nothing new to Lamb, but it’s his perseverance through such adversity that has earned him the nickname “The Prodigal Son.”
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