Leonardo Ruiz won a 10-round split decision over Raul Garcia in a junior middleweight bout at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Ruiz, 156.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 98-91 and 96-93, while Garcia won a card 95-94.

Ruiz is 13-0. Garcia, 156.4 lbs of San Benadino, CA 13-1.

Justin Pauldo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Estela in a lightweight bout.

In round seven, Pauldo was deducted a point for pushing Estela to the canvas. In round 10, Estela was bleeding over is left eye.

Pauldo, 137 lbs of Orlando, FL won by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 95-94 and is now 16-1. Estela, 137 lbs of Uruguay is 14-3.

Johan Gonzalez stopped Ricardo Villalba in round five of their eight-round super welterweight fight.

Gonzalez dropped Villalba twice in round five, and the bout was stopped at 1:57.

Gonzalez, 156.2 lbs of Panama City, PAN is 33-2 with all wins coming by knockout. Villalba, 155 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 20-10-1.

Mandeep Jangra stopped Markus Bowles in round four of their six-round lightweight bout.

Jangra dominated the action and beat Bowles down until the fight was stopped at 2:41.

Jangra, 134.4 lbs of Khiaman, IND is 6-0 with four knockouts. Bowles, 135.2 lbs of Roxboro, NC is 2-2.

Angel Fierro stopped Eduardo Estela in round seven of their scheduled 10-round lightweight bout in Culiacan, Mexico

In round two, Fierro was deducted a point. In round four, Fierro dropped Estela with a hard right hand. At the end of the round, Fierro dropped Estela again with another right that rolled Estela under the bottom rope.

In round seven, Fierro landed a big flurry that was finished up by a couple of hard left hooks that put Estela down and out at 2:59

Fierro, 134 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 21-1-2 with 17 knockouts. Estela, 134.2 lbs of Montevideo, URU is 14-2.

Eduardo Nunez scored a vicious second round stoppage over Martin Ceyca in a 10-round super featherweight bout.

In round two, Nunez landed a booming right hand that drilled the jaw of Ceyca and put him flat on his back and the fight was over at 2:14.

Nunez, 130.6 lbs of Los Mochis, MEX is 24-1 with all 24 by knockout. Ceyca, 128.8 lbs of Culiacan, MEX is 17-1.

Misael Lopez remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Aaron Guerrero in a middleweight fight.

Rodriguez, 162.6 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX won by scores of 78-76 and 77-76 twice and is now 13-0. Guerrero, 161.2 lbs of Culiacan, MEX is 16-2-1.

Francisco Pina won an eight-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Young in a battle of undefeated featherweights.

Pina, 125.8 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 78-75, 77-75 and 77-76 and is now 6-0. Young, 127.2 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is 9-1.

Criztec Bazaldua made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Jose Bustamante in a lightweight contest.

Bazaldua, 136.4 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is 1-0. Bustamante, 135.4 lbs of Mexico City is 1-1.

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest Criztec Bazaldua (136.4lbs)  vs.     Jose Bustamante (135.4lbs) Los Angeles, California          Mexico City, Mexico   Followed by   8 x 3 mins Featherweight contest Alejandro Young (127.2lbs)  vs.     Francisco Piña (125.8lbs) Los Mochis, Mexico                        Mexico City, Mexico   Followed by   8 x 3 mins Middleweight contest Misael Rodriguez (162.6lbs) vs.     Aaron Guerrero (161.2lbs) Chihuahua, Mexico                         Culiacan, Mexico   Followed by 10 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest Eduardo Núñez (130.6lbs)    vs.     Martin Ceyca (128.8lbs) Los Mochis, Mexico                        Culiacan, Mexico   Followed by 10 x 3 mins WBO NABO Lightweight title Angel Fierro (134.4lbs)         vs.     Eduardo Estela (134.2lbs) Tijuana, Mexico                     Montevideo, Uruguay

Eddie Hearn 
 
“We have a huge card here in Culiacan, live on DAZN around the world. This Mexican adventure has been incredible for Matchroom, some of the best cards we’ve seen from top to bottom and Saturday is no exception. We have a fantastic main event and a deep card with some exciting young fighters. 
 
“What a night in Nottingham when Mauricio Lara beat Leigh Wood to become World champion and he’s a great example of the young talent here that needs to be unearthed and given an opportunity, and all we do as promoters is make great fights and deliver value for fight fans, and these cards see hot prospects and World rated fighters continuously step up and fight the very best in the business.”
 
Angel Fierro – defends WBO NABO Lightweight title against Eduardo Estela
 
“I am delighted to be here in Culiacan. All my fights are guaranteed to be wars. God willing, we come through Saturday, it will out me in a wonderful position to fight for a World title, so I am extremely motivated.
 
“I have fought in many different places in Mexico and it’s nice to become known and to be a favorite with people. I boxed in Mexico City in front of my home fans and that was special, I feel the fans like me and that makes me very happy.
 
“I’m calm, I’m motivated, I’m close to that shot of getting a World title fight. He is confident and I respect him, but it will be a complete war in the ring, and I will be ready to give what I need to give.”
 
Eduardo Estela – challenges Angel Fierro for the WBO NABO Lightweight title
 
“We’re totally prepared for Saturday; it’s a big fight and it’s going to be a war. I hope all the Latin fans enjoy it as when you get two Latin fighters in the ring together you are guaranteed a war and that’s what’s going to happen. 
 
“We’re confident because we’ve trained so well and we’ve put the work in, day in, day out. We have clear objectives, we understand that victory would catapult us to get the big fights, those are what all boxers want so we are so ready.
 
“We’ve studied him, we know he hits hard but can also take a shot, we’re completely ready for it.”
 
Eduardo Nunez – takes on Martin Ceyca over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight
 
“It’s a great opportunity and an important one, and I won’t let it pass me by. I’ve prepared really well; I have a great opponent in front of me and I have put the work in and everything is on the table to do what I need to do.
 
“I have no issues with weight, I control it well and I can fight at 126 and 130. I would love the chance in the short term to fight for a World title and I think it’s something I will do very soon. 
 
“I’m just excited to be on such a fantastic card, it’s a small step in my career but I want to show that I am ready and for people to know my name on Saturday.”
 
Martin Ceyca – takes on Eduardo Nunez over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight
 
“I want to thank Matchroom and BXSTRS for putting on a show in Culiacan, we could never imagine a show of this magnitude happening here. For Saturday, I feel I belong on this card, and I am ready to perform.
 
“Every show that’s happened here, we’ve always had a great atmosphere and that’s down to the fights being 50-50, and I expect something similar on Saturday, and the fans will be happy.”
 
Criztec Bazaldua – Matchroom’s latest signing making his professional debut
 
It’s an honor to be part of such a great company with Matchroom, it’s the best and it’s truly a blessing. 
 
I have the best trainer in the world in Manny Robles, the best teammates and I think I have the best team around me, I have shared the ring with great pros and amateurs already and I can’t wait for Saturday.
 
Misael Rodriguez – unbeaten (12-0 7 KOs) Middleweight facing Aaron Rocha
 
“It’s a big challenge in front of me but we’re ready for big things. I am taking this year as one to grow and I am hoping to put on a show in Culiacan. 
 
“We have plans and I am looking to do great things with Matchroom, I am proud to be fighting on this card and will give the fans the fight they deserve.”

Angel Fierro has promised to take his headline chance with both hands on Saturday night and launch himself into the World title picture when he defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Eduardo Estela at Polideportivo Arena in Culiacan, Mexico exclusively live on DAZN.
 
Fierro (20-1-2 16 KOs) defends his belt for the third time and the 24 year old is sitting pretty at #5 in the WBO rankings at 135lbs – no more motivation is needed for Fierro to keep hold of his title and put pressure on the big names at Lightweight to face him next.
 
‘Tashiro’ last defended the strap in October in Mexico City on a card topped by Mauricio Lara in ‘Bronco’s’ last fight before he defeated Leigh Wood in Nottingham to become WBA World Featherweight champion in Nottingham, England last weekend – and Fierro is using his friend’s victory as fuel to land his own dream title shot.
 
“I will show the world that I am a fighter at 135lbs who is ready for them,” said Fierro. “I am looking for my World title shot and ready to hunt the best down. Devin Haney, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, Isaac Cruz; they are all on my list to fight next.
 
“I am focused on Eduardo, but once I win, I will have my hand up asking for my opportunity. I’ve been on the same card as Mauricio Lara and he motivates me a lot, knowing that a fellow Mexican friend got his shot and became World champion, and I know my chance will come soon. 
 
“Being another World champion that’s crowned from Mexico would make you a legend like so many of the great fighters from Mexico, and it would motivate the next generation looking to achieve their dreams, by showing that with sacrifice and discipline, your dreams can come true. 
 
“It’s my third defense, I know he is a strong and brave fighter, with a lot of character in the ring. I think he is one of the best fighters I have faced so far, and it’s one of the most important fights of my career so far. 
 
“The moment I knew I would be fighting him, I’ve been watching and analyzing him, because I know it’s a tough test. I think it will be a fight where we trade, we will see in the middle of the ring, looking for our chance. Neither of us want the fight to go to the judges. 
 
“It motivates me even more to fight at home, to be able to put on a great show for the people of Mexico. Everyone knows that Mexican fighters are brave and give everything in the ring, and I think that is what Mexican people and everyone likes to see, that a Mexican fighter goes to the ring and is not afraid of a tear-up.”
  
Eduardo Nunez will provide the co-main event action as he meets unbeaten Jesus Ceyca over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight. KO merchant ‘Sugar’ Nunez (23-1 23 KOs) has won all of his bouts inside the distance, and the 25 year old comes into the bout on the back of a tenth round stoppage win in Culiacan in September, his only fight of 2022. The Los Mochis man will be eager to keep his streak going on March 4, but will need to take the ‘0’ of local man Ceyca (17-0 8 KOs) to do so, who will be on home turf for his first action in 2023 and in his first ten round contest.
 
Elsewhere on the stacked card, 2016 Mexican Olympian Misael Rodriguez (12-0, 7KO’s) who will take on Aaron Guerrero (10-1-1 6 KOs) over eight rounds at Middleweight, and teenage sensation Yair Gallardo (2-0 2 KOs) is looking for a third straight first round KO and takes on KO artist Bernardo Jimenez (9-1 9 KOs) over six at Light-Heavyweight and the second pro fight for Uzbek Olympian Dilshodbek Ruzmetov (1-0) who meets Jesus Palomares (7-1-1 4 KOs) over eight at Super-Middleweight and there’s a pro debut for Eddie Hearn’s latest signing, Critic Bazaldua. 

Matchroom Boxing returns to Mexico for the latest installment of their popular fight night series on Saturday March 4 at the Polideportivo Arena in Culiacan, Mexico exclusively live on DAZN – headlined by Angel Fierro facing Eduardo Estela.
 
Fierro (20-1-2, 16KOs) defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Uruguay’s once-beaten Estela (14-1, 9KO’s) in what promises to be an explosive main event. The WBO #5 rated Fierro is closing in on a coveted World title shot in 2023, but he must first get by the very dangerous Estela, who is coming off a career best win in November over previously undefeated Ruben Torres. Estela, who is promoted by former great Marcos Maidana who will be attendance on fight night, has a lone loss as a pro against rising Mexican powerhouse Mauricio Lara back in 2019. 
 
“I am very happy to fight again in Mexico with my people,” said Fierro. “I am going to show them that I am ready for a World title, I am preparing for that, and I am excited to return to the ring on March 4.
 
“March 4 is my time to shine,” said Estela. “I’m coming off the biggest victory of my life and I’m ready to deliver another spectacular performance. A win over Fierro puts me right in line amongst the top tier of the 135lb division and there is no way he’s going to stop me from achieving that. 
 
“I know that I am coming into hostile territory, but it’s only going to motivate me more. Fierro better be ready because I’m bringing everything I have.”
 
Eduardo Nunez will provide the co-main event action as he meets Rodolfo Bustamante over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight. KO merchant ‘Sugar’ Nunez (23-1 23 KOs) has one all of his bouts inside the distance, and the 25 year old comes into the bout on the back of a tenth round stoppage win in Culiacan in September, his only fight of 2022. The Los Mochis man will be eager to keep his streak going on March 4, but faces stiff opposition in Bustamante (18-1-1 11 KOs), who will be on home turf for his first action in 2023.
 
“I’m anxious and we’ll prepared,” said Nunez. “I have been working very hard with my team and I’m just waiting for March 4 to arrive.”
 
“I am very happy for this opportunity,” said Bustamante. “I’m going to train really hard, I and won’t let my people from Culiacan down – I’m coming with everything I got.”
 
Rounding out the feature portion of the card will be 2016 Mexican Olympian Misael Rodriguez (12-0, 7KO’s) who will take on Rafael Ortiz over eight rounds at Middleweight and the much anticipated pro debut of US #1-rated amateur, Criztec Balzaldua, taking on Alejandro Castillo over four at Lightweight.
 
“I feel happy and excited to fight in this great Matchroom card,” said Rodriguez. “It’s great to be fighting in Culiacan, a place I fought twice before and a place where people know boxing and have made me feel right at home.”
 
 2022 was a breakout year for Matchroom south of the border, producing three unforgettable nights of boxing throughout the boxing rich country. 
 
In June, Japanese WBA Super Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi, defended his title against Mexico’s WBA Regular Champion Esteban Bermudez, in an absolute barn burner of a fight. Also on that card, was Rocky Hernandez who became a breakout star, with his savage first round highlight reel knockout over top-rated contender Jorge Castaneda. Reigning WBA 122lb champion Mayerlin Rivas, made her long-awaited return also on the card, defending her title in spectacular fashion over Karina Fernandez.
 
In September, pound-for-pound great, and the reigning Super-Flyweight King, El Gallo, Juan Francisco Estrada, returned home to Hermosillo for the first time since 2019, and won a highly entertaining decision over fellow Mexican Argi Cortes. The win over Cortes set up the long-awaited trilogy with Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez for Estrada, which he won in December. Also on the card, Mexico’s reigning WBA champion Erika Cruz, defended her title over Jelena Mrdjevonich, in a rematch of their title contest from 2021. In an instant classic, and nominee and winner of the 2022 Fight of The Year by numerous boxing publications, South African Sivenathi Nontshinga won the vacant IBF 108lb title over Mexico’s Hector Flores in a contest widely considered one of the greatest in Light-Flyweight history. 
 
Matchroom’s year in Mexico finished off in October, with the much-anticipated homecoming of Mauricio Lara to Mexico City. It was the first time in over two-years the top-rated Featherweight contender saw action in his home city, and he did not disappoint, ferociously stopping former title challenger Jose Sanmartin within three rounds. It was a savage beat down from arguably the sport’s most entertaining fighter and set him up for his first World title shot against Leigh Wood, set to take place February 18 in Nottingham, England live on DAZN.
 
“I cannot wait to get back to Mexico for another great night,” said Eddie Hearn. “We had a fantastic year south of the border in 2022; all our fight nights were thrilling, and I expect to pick up where we left off in March. Fierro is knocking on the door for World title action at Lightweight, and if he can deal with Estela in style, he’ll smash through that door and join the big guns.”
 
Ticket details will follow soon.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA– In an impressive performance, Regis Prograis claimed the vacant WBC light welterweight title with an eleventh-round knockout of longtime contender Jose Zepeda at the Dignity Sports Health Park. 

Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) of New Orleans, Louisiana proved to have too many dimensions for Zepeda (35-3, 27 KOs) of La Puente, California. When the flow of the bout called for him to box, Prograis boxed. When Zepeda drew him into an inside action fight, Prograis more than handled himself. 

Zepeda, 139.4, caught Prograis, 139, leaning to the left for the shot that got a rise out of the crowd in the first. Prograis landed well with his jab early in the second, but Zepeda came back late in the round. 

After boxing well at distance for much of the third, Prograis, who entered as the WBC #2 ranked contender, nearly came out of his shoes as he fired off a clean left late in the round. When Prograis went for another sweeping left, Zepeda, the WBC #1 ranked contender, threw his own in concert as the two landed simultaneous hard shots to close out the third.

After getting beaten to the jab, Zepeda drew Prograis into a firefight to close out the fourth, much to the delight of the crowd. The back-and-forth action resumed in the fifth, as neither fighter would let a clean blow go unanswered. 

Prograis controlled much of sixth, turning the fight into a boxing match with his pinpoint jab and movement. Prograis’ feints and ring generalship troubled Zepeda again for much of the seventh. Before the close of the round, an accidental clash of heads drew blood from the nose of Prograis. 

Prograis continued to outbox Zepeda through rounds eight and nine before Zepeda got him to stand-and-trade heading into the tenth. 

The tenth would feature thrilling two-way action throughout, briefly breathing new life into Zepeda’s standing in the bout as Prograis abandoned his jab first style. 

The momentum shift would be brief as Prograis rocked and dropped Zepeda along the ropes early in the eleventh. Referee Ray Corona waved off the contest at 59 seconds of round eleven. 

After the bout, Prograis refused to call out any of the other names at 140-pounds, considering he is now a champion that should be called out by them. 

For Zepeda, the third time did not end up being the charm as all three of his professional defeats have come in world title attempts. 

Valle Decisions Bermudez to Win Light Flyweight Titles

In the co-main event, IBF/WBO 105-pound champion Yokasta Valle (27-2, 9 KOs) of San Jose, San Jose, Costa Rica moved up in weight to claim the light flyweight version of the same two titles from previously undefeated champion Evelyn Bermudez (17-1-1, 6 KOs) of Santa de la Vera Cruz, Santa Fe, Argentina via ten-round majority decision.

Valle, 107.4, was active and determined, but the naturally larger Argentine stood up well to the punches throughout the fight. After getting outworked at times early, Bermudez, 106, timed her right hand well in round four and caught the busier Valle clean. 

Valle kept a busy pace for all ten rounds, but it appeared Bermudez had the power edge and may have taken rounds with a well-placed right hand or two. 

In the end, two judges gave Bermudez very little credit, handing in scores of 99-91 and 97-93 for Valle. The third card was even, 95-95. 

After the win, Valle expressed her desire to meet fellow champion Seniesa Estrada at whatever weight class the fight can be made.

2016 and 2020 Uzbekistani Olympian Bakhodir Jalolov (12-0, 12 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York by way of Sariosiyo, Uzbekistan kept his knockout streak alive with a fourth-round stoppage of journeyman Curtis Harper (14-9, 9 KOs) of Jacksonville, Florida. 

Jalolov, 247.6, controlled the bout from the early stages, keeping Harper, 260, on the end of his long punches from the southpaw stance. 

Harper grew frustrated to the point of intentionally headbutting and hitting on the break during the second round, which earned him a warning from the referee. 

In the third, a straight left from Jalolov dropped Harper hard, who got up seconds before the bell and the round would close just before they could touch again.

Jalolov ended the fight, dropping Harper with a combination near the blue corner in the fourth. Harper rose before the count of ten, but referee Thomas Taylor opted the call the one-sided bout. Official time of the stoppage was 1:53 of the fourth. 

IBF #4/WBC #5/WBO #8/WBA #12 ranked light middleweight Charles Conwell (18-0, 13 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio took a hard-fought ten-round majority decision over veteran gatekeeper Juan Carlos Abreu (25-7-1, 23 KOs) of La Romana, La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Conwell, 153.8, found himself bleeding from his left eye early in the second after some inside fighting. Despite being bothered by the blood, Conwell pressed the action in the third, briefly stopping Abreu, 154, in his tracks with a clean combination upstairs. 

Conwell continued to force himself in rounds four and five, but some well-placed shots by Abreu worsened the 2016 U.S. Olympian’s cut, creating some drama as the fight moved to the middle rounds. 

Abreu, who entered as the WBC #15 ranked 154-pound contender, had one of his better rounds in round seven as he backed up Conwell with consistent combinations. However, Conwell would land the most telling blow late in the round, as a body shot forced Abreu to wince and drop his hands near the bell. 

As the fight wore on both fighters had their moments as they kept a busy junior middleweight pace in a bout that the three ringside judges would have a wide range of views. In the end, Conwell improved his ranking in what was billed as a WBC semi-final eliminator. One judge had it even, 95-95, while the other two scored it for Conwell, 98-92 and 96-94.

The son of the beloved former champion of the same name, Fernando Vargas Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada hammered overnmatched local Alejandro Martinez (3-3-1, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles, California en route to a second-round stoppage to open the pay-per-view telecast. 

Vargas, 150, utilized his natural size advantage to control the first round before opening up offensively to start the second. Martinez, 151.2, was outgunned and hit the canvas after a combination early in the round. Referee Ray Corona took a good look at Martinez, but allowed the bout to continue before another two-punch combination forced Martinez to slide to the canvas and forced the stoppage at 2:40 of round two. 

Super bantamweight prospect Nathan Rodriguez (10-0, 7 KOs) of Pico Rivera, California turned back a game Jerson Ortiz (17-6, 8 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua to score a wide eight-round unanimous decision in a bout tougher than the scores would lead you to believe. 

Rodriguez, 123.4, scored a knockdown during an exchange early in the third. Ortiz, 123.8, opted for the offense is the best defense approach and was downed again midway through the round. 

Through three rounds a distance result looked unlikely, but Ortiz landed some windmill shots to some effect in the fourth before Rodriguez turned back the tide late in the round. The two would engage in two-way exchanges down the stretch of the fight, as Ortiz made a fight out of it after the bleak beginning. The judges could not be swayed to credit Ortiz much for his effort, as Rodriguez took the bout and the minor WBC FECARBOX title by scores of 80-70 and 79-71 twice.

In an upset, Eduardo Estela (14-1, 9 KOs) of Montevideo, Uruguay spoiled the previously unblemished record Ruben Torres (19-1, 16 KOs) of Santa Monica, California via a hard-fought eight-round split decision. 

Estela, 136, staggered Torres, 136.2, against the ropes midway through the first, scoring a knockdown and prompting a count from referee Thomas Taylor. Estela pressed for the remainder of the round, but Torres managed to regain his footing. 

Torres fared much better in rounds two and three before Estela closed out the fourth strong, knocking the Californian off balance late in the round. Estela continued as the aggressor through the late rounds, forcing the crowd favorite Torres to fight on the move or with his back to the ropes much of the time. Torres stood his ground and fought at a beneficial distance in the eighth to close out the bout, but in the end it was not enough to leave Carson with his unbeaten record intact. Two judges scored in favor of Estela, 78-73 and 76-75. Torres took the dissenting card 76-75. 

One of two sons of Fernando Vargas on the card, Amado Vargas (5-0, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas passed a tougher-than-expected test in the form of Osmar Olmos Hernandez (1-2) of Santa Clarita, California.

Vargas, 125.8, opened the four-round bout at a frantic pace, eventually downing Olmos Hernandez, 124.4, with an overhand right early in the first round. Two follow-up lefts would cost the young Vargas a point as referee Jerry Cantu ruled they had come after the knockdown was scored. 

Olmos Hernandez finished the first with renewed vigor and carried that energy into the second frame. The stanza would feature back-and-forth action as both Vargas and Olmos Hernandez swung for the fences with little regard for defense. 

As the fight wound down, Vargas settled into more of a boxer’s posture which enabled the offspring “El Feroz” to cruise to a unanimous decision by scores of 39-35 and 38-36 twice.

Slick southpaw Austin Brooks (9-0, 3 KOs) of La Mesa, California pounded away at sturdy Jesus Roman (8-6, 3 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage. 

Brooks,129, opted to fight at close range despite his size advantage and was just too quick and strong for the game Roman, 129.6. The Mexican native fought hard throughout but ultimately wilted to the mat after a barrage in third. Referee Jerry Cantu waved off the contest at 2:03 of the round.

Local middleweight prospect Eric Priest (9-0, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles barely broke a sweat before scoring a three-knockdown KO of Luis Alberto Vera (11-22-2, 1 KO) of Buenos Aires.

Priest, 160, flurried Vera, 159.8, to the mat for two quick knockdowns in the opening round. Vera had no answer for anything Priest had to offer and was put down a third time by a stinging body shot moments later. Referee Thomas Taylor stopped the bout immediately after Vera took to a knee for the third knockdown.

Jacob Macalolooy (4-0, 3 KOs) of Union City, California remained unbeaten with a second-round stoppage of Terrance Jarmon (3-2, 1 KO) of Toledo, Ohio to open tonight’s card.

Macalolooy, 146.8, dropped Jarmon, 144, late in the first with an overhand left. The southpaw Jarmon fought in survival mode for the remainder of the first and survived to the bell. However it was just a matter of time before Macalolooy ended the bout, dropping Jarmon early in the second, prompting a stoppage from refereeJerry Cantu at the 1:02 mark of round two.

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 2, 2022) – Thompson Boxing’s undefeated lightweight star, Ruben “Ace” Torres (19-0, 16 KOs), from South Central, Los Angeles, is back in action on November 26, 2022, when he steps in the ring with Eduardo Estela (13-1, 9 KOs), of Montevideo, Uruguay. The fight is presented by MarvNation and produced by Legendz Entertainment live on Pay-Per-View. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.

Torres vs. Estela, a scheduled 8-round bout, will take place at ‘The War Grounds’, Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The main event will showcase Jose ‘Chon’ Zepeda (35-2, 27 KO’s) of LaPuente, CA vs. #2 ranked, former World Champion Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs) of New Orleans, for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight world title.

“This is a big fight for me, and I plan to take full advantage of the opportunity,” said Torres. “I know Estela is hungry to make a name for himself so I’m well aware of the task at hand, I must dictate the action from the opening bell. At this point in my career, every fight is life or death. This will be my first time fighting outside of my Thompson Boxing family, and I’m going to represent my promoter with a great performance.”

Torres’ knockout of Cristian Baez (18-2, 17 KOs) in his last fight went viral, and he hopes to build on that momentum. Torres has knocked out 9 of his last 10 opponents.

“I feel my power has improved with each fight as I’m getting more comfortable sitting on my punches,” continued Torres. “Every day I train, I’m working on some aspect of throwing a power punch. All the hard work will be on display on November 26th.”

Making his U.S.A. debut, Eduardo Estela has nothing to lose and promises to bring forth an entertaining fight. He believes Torres is not on his level and plans to upset him in his hometown.

“I saw a lot of weaknesses in Torres when he fought Baez,” stated Estela. “I have confidence in my ability to execute the game plan my trainer and I put together. This will be the first time I’ll be fighting in the United States, so this is my chance to prove to the world that I’m an elite fighter. A victory will catapult me to bigger fights down the road. I will not let this opportunity pass me by. I’m fighting for all my countrymen back home. Torres is in for a rude awakening.”

“We believe Ruben Torres has all the ingredients to become a world champion,” said Alex Camponovo, General Manager for Thompson Boxing. “This is a very dangerous opponent, and a win against Estela will certainly help Torres climb the rankings.”