Navarrete Decisions Villa; Wins Featherweight Title

Emanuel Navarrete became a two-division world champion as he won the WBO Featherweight Title with a 12-round majority decision over previosuly undefeated Ruben Villa at the MGM Conference Center in Las Vegas.

In round one, Navarrete scored a knockdown from a left uppercut. In round four, it was another uppercut that sent Villa down.

Navarrete outlanded Villa 163-131.

Navarrete, 126 lbs of Mexico won by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 twice and is now 33-1. Villa, 125 lbs of Salinas, CA is 18-1.

Navarrete said, “I knew that Villa was a fighter that moved a lot, and I knew that he was going to move even more once he felt my power. I didn’t get the knockout, but I got the victory.
 
“I’m very happy with this championship. It’s a reflection of all the sacrifices and all the hard work I put in. I conquered my second weight class because of all that hard work.
 
“I have my sights set on all the world champions at 126. I would love to face {Josh} Warrington. I think that our styles will make for a great fight.”

Alimkhanuly stops Coria in 2

Janibek Alimhanuly destroyed Gozala Cora in two rounds of their scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

In round one, Alimkhanuly dropped Coria with a hard left. In round two, Alimkhanuly landed anther booming left that sent Coria down face-first and the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Alimkhanuly, 159.6 lbs of Kazakhstan is 9-0 with five knockouts. Coria, 158.6 lbs of Argentima is 16-4.

Alimkhanuly said, “I want to fight a world champion soon, like Demetrius Andrade and Jermall Charlo. Canelo, of course. Top Rank promotes Ryota Murata at 160. I want to fight him as well. Whoever the top guys are 160, I want them next.”

Rodriguez Stops Krael in 3

Good looking prospect Elvis Rodriguez stopped durable Cameron Krael in round three of their scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round three, Rodriguez landed a right hook to the head that sent Krael down for the 10-count at 53 seconds.

Rodriguez, 141.5 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 10-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Krael, 141.2 lbs of Las Vegas is 17-17-3.

Lorenzo Simpson won an eight-round unanimous decision over Sonny Duversonne in a battle of undefeated middleweights.

Simpson controlled the action with his superior boxing ability.

In round sfive, Duversonne landed a right hand that forced Simpson’s left glove to touch the canvas and ruled a knockdown.

Simpson, 156 lbs of Baltimore, MD won by scores of 79-73 and 78-73 twice and is now 9-0. Duversonne, 154.8 lbs of Miami FL is 11-1-2.

Bryan Lua remained undefeated as he won a six-round unanimous decision over Nelson Colon in a lightweight bout.

Lua, 131.6 lbs of Malera, CA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Colon, 131.6 lbs of Cayey PR is 4-4.

Rashiem Jefferson remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Steve Garaganza in a junior featherweight bout.

In round three, Garaganza was cut over his left eye.

Jefferson, 123.8 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 3-0. Garaganza, 123.5 lbs Laredo, TX is 2-3-1.

Kahshad Elliott made a successful pro debut with a 1st round destruction over Akeem Jackson in a scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout.

Elliott scored two knockdowns, with Jackson not wanting to get up before referee Michael Ortega’s 10-count at 1:15

Elliott, 152.8 lbs of Plainfield, NJ is 1-0 with one knockout. Jackson, 151.5 lbs of Oxon Hill, MD is 1-2.




Pedraza decisions Molina

Former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza won a 10-round unanimous decision over former U.S. Olympian Javier Molina in a junior welterweight at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Molina suffered a cut under his left eye in round three from a punch.

Pedraza outlanded Molina 164-49.

Pedraza, 141.6 lbs of Cidro, PR won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 28-3. Molina, 141.7 lbs of Norwalk, CA is 22-3.

Pedraza said, “They do name me the ‘Sniper,’ and that means I have to be patient, and when my moment comes, I have to take advantage of it. That’s what I did tonight because I was able to wear him down, break him down and make him fight my fight. It was the experience that I’ve had at the top level that helped me finally put it together. I’ve had the experience, I’ve had the talent, and it’s just on a night like this that I’m happy I could put it all together.
 
“I do believe I’m ready for a world title opportunity. Whoever it happens to be between Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez, I want the winner of that fight. If for some reason I can’t get a world title shot against them, I do want to respectfully ask Jose Zepeda for the rematch.”

Ajagba decsions Rice

Efe Ajagba won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jonnie Rice in a heavyweight bout.

Ajagba outlanded Rice 131-39 over the 10-rounds and won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92.

Ajagba, 242.3 lbs of Nigeria is 14-0. Rice, 265.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 13-6-1.

Ramirez decisions Caraballo

Former Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Felix Caraballo in a featherweight fight.

Ramirez outlanded Caraballo 225-71.

Ramirez, 125.9 lbs of Cuba won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 5-1. Caraballo, 125.7 lbs of Marguez, PR is 13-3-2.

Ruiz decisions Solis

Leo Ruiz won a six-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Solis in a junior middleweight bout.

In round five, Ruiz lost a point for a low blow. Later in the round, Solis was deduced a point for spitting out his mouthpiece.

Ruiz outlanded Solis 125-47.

Ruiz, 151.4 lbs of San Bernadino, CA won by scores of 59-53 twice and 58-54 and is now 8-0. Solis, 151.4 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 4-5-1.

Christian Montano remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Ryan Adams in a super middleweight fight.

Montano, 167.3 lbs of Huston, TX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 to raise his mark to 10-0. Adams, 165.5 lbs of St. Louis, MO is 7-3-1.

Bryan Lua stopped Luis Norambuena in round two fo their scheduled four-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Lua landed a perfect left hook to the chin that put Norambuena on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:27.

Lua, 134.5 lbs of Madera, CA is 6-0 with three knockouts. Noarambuena, 134 lbs of Talca, CHL is 4-7-1.

Jahi Tucker turned professional with a 1st round stoppage over DeAndre Anderson in a scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

Tucker swarmed Anderson with volume punches, and the fight was stopped at 2:56.

Tucker, 143.6 lbs of Deer Park, NY is 1-0 with one knockouts. Anderson, 147.1 lbs of Birmingham, AL is 1-2.

Kasir Goldston made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Iasiah Varmell in a welterweight fight.

Goldston, 142.8 lbs of Albany, NY won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice and is now 1-0. Varnell, 142.8 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 3-3.