T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Cyrus Mathes kicks Anthony Acosta during Saturday’s Iowa Fight Series II at the Impala Ballroom in Marshalltown. Mathes won the fight.

Marshalltown fighter Cyrus “The Babyface” Mathes claimed victory over opponent Anthony Acosta during the Iowa Fight Series II on Saturday.

Held at the Impala Ballroom on West Lincoln Way, the event featured 15 fights — 11 amateur and four professional. Promoter Shaun White said one deserving amateur fighter was awarded with a four-week all-expenses paid trip to Thailand. Mathes was chosen to go to Thailand, along with fighter Mathew Olson, who fought Beau Gilbert. Sending two people was a surprise twist, White said.

“Cyrus is getting to be popular,” he said. “A lot of the people know who he is. He works hard. He likes to hype everybody up. He is a promising kid who is working very hard.”

Mathes versus Acosta was the first fight of the night. After his victory, Mathes would support other local fighters as they walked to the cage and during their bouts.

Mathes, a senior at South Tama County High School who competed at the state wrestling meet back in February, will go to Thailand next year to learn from world class coaches, and how to kick and punch properly, White said.

“He trains with another guy in Tama, but in Thailand, he is going to learn from the best,” he said. “He will also be able to train and compete in a match.”

After the entire event, White went to the UnityPoint emergency room. The main draw and the final bout was between Canadian fighter Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz and Brazilian fighter Rafael Carvalho. It ended in a knockout when Ksiazkiewicz’s knee broke Carvalho’s nose. White said Carvalho needs to have surgery.

“It laid him out,” he said.

Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz celebrates his victory over Rafael Carvalho during the Iowa Fight Series II. The match was the main event, and Ksiazkiewicz claimed the pro light heavyweight title.

There were nine fights which “went the distance” in which both fighters lasted until the end. White said that can be attributed to determining good matches, taking into consideration the fighters and their styles. Most of the amateur fights lasted all three rounds. It was not until the professional bouts when White said the audience had more opportunity to see finishes.

He was impressed with the fights of Pedro Gomez versus Frankie McLaughliin and Dakota Tatro versus Montgomery Frederiksen.

“I was impressed with this card,” White said.

Even though not as many people were in the audience as originally hoped, he said the attendees were satisfied.

“A lot of people were saying how great the fights were,” White said.

Iowa Fight Series II began at 2 p.m., and lasted seven hours. To improve attendance, he plans on holding the next event at a later time, and not feature as many fights. White is organizing the next event for Oct. 19, and it will feature local fighter Frankie Osborne.

“There are not going to be as many fights, but we’re still going to have the high quality fights,” he said. “Frankie is one who really brings a crowd. In the next one, he will fight Edward Massey for the title.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at (641) 753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.