Garcia stops Fortuna in 6

Ryan Garcia stopped former world champion Javier Fortuna in round six of a scheduled 12-round junior welterweight bout at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

In round four, Garcia dropped Fortuna with a left to the body. In round five, it was another hook to the body that put Fortuna down again. In round six, Garcia ended it with….you guessed it, another left hook but this was to the side of the head and the fight was stopped at 1:27.

Garcia, 140 lbs of Victorville, CA is now 24-0 with 19 knockouts. Fortuna, 139.8 lbs of Lo Romana, CA is 37-4-1.

“I want to thank God first and foremost,” said Ryan Garcia. “I know that I performed well for myself. I was crisp, sharp and I stayed in my truth. I didn’t do anything crazy. I know how good of a fighter I am, I just had to put it all together, just like tonight. Fortuna hit hard, he has a hard fist. Like I said when I fight stronger opponents, I box better. Yes, I caught him with a body shot. He thought I was going for the head but I switched it on him. I felt he was going to throw the Luke Campbell shot [the shot that dropped Ryan against Campbell]. I feel like everyone is going to try to hit me with that shot. I hit hard so it doesn’t take much to hurt someone.”

“It felt like [I made] a statement to come back to the timeline I was at. Mental health is a time to reflect on yourself and get better for the future. That’s not weakness, that’s strength! That’s courage! You saw me today when I stepped in the ring. That’s nothing but courage and skill.”

“I felt way better at this weight. I’m not going down to 135 for nothing. But I will fight Tank next if he wants it at 140. I’ll make sure to record all the negotiations so you can’t say I was ducking. I want that fight because it’s going to give me the respect I deserve. I’m never afraid. I have a spirit of competition in me and you’re going to see that come out when I fight Tank and whoop his ass.”

Rocha Decisions Veron

Alexis Rocha won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Veron in a welterweight bout.

Rocha landed 171 of 620 punches; Veron was 72 of 313.

Rocha, 146.8 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 20-1. Veron, 146 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 19-5-2.

“My strategy for this fight was to go in there and break him down,” said Alexis Rocha. “I knew he was going to be a durable fighter; he gets hit and stays there. Once that happened in the fight I knew he was just going to survive. Training is always great with my team, they’re always pushing me. I went there with a game plan and I followed it the best I could. It feels good fighting in front of a big crowd here at the Crypto Arena. Having my Santa Ana crowd behind me, it made me feel good. Onto the next level now.”

Roach Jr. Decisions Rodriguez

Former world title challenger Lamont Roach Jr. scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Angel Rodriguez in a super featherweight bout.

Roach landed 241 of 580 punches; Rodriguez was 120 of 502.

Roach, 129.8 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice and is now 23-1-1. Rodriguez, 129.2 lbs o Barranquilla, COL is 20-2.

“My strategy was to stay tight and keep the pressure on him,” said Lamont Roach Jr.  “We knew it would break him down. He was a tall and lanky fighter so we were watching out for the looping shots. He had a nice 1-2, the ones that landed I let him. He was really good defensively, but if we would’ve kept the punch output higher I would have stopped him. He was very evasive.”

“He’s an amazing fighter, extremely intelligent,” said Angel Rodriguez. “He knows how to work his rival and always keep his composure even when getting hit. In these events it’s them who decide who wins and as an athlete I’d fight him again. We tried to win but he simply came with better preparation and strategy, that’s why he took the victory.”

Jimenez Decisions Sandoval

David Jimenez scored an upset by winning a 12-round majority decision over Ricardo Sandoval in a flyweight bout.

In round seven, Jimenez was deducted a point for holding. In round two, Jimenez dropped Sandoval with a short right hook.

Sandoval landed 249 of 712 punches; Jimenez was 163 off 599, but the knockdown seemed to be the difference in the outcome.

Jimenez, 111.2 lbs of Cartago, CRI won by scores of 114-112 twice and 113-113 is now 12-0. Sandoval, 111.8 lbs of Rosito, CA is 20-2.

“I’m happy and grateful for this new victory,” said David Jimenez.  “We executed our game plan perfectly. In the first 6 rounds it was a lot of movement and aiming. After the 6th round I started to take advantage. My rival was very tough and stubborn. He has a lot ahead of him. I’m going to go home after this victory and spend time with my family then get back into the gym.”

“I felt like I was boxing him correctly so I feel very good,” said Ricardo Sandoval.  “I was also countering him downstairs and upstairs. But you know these things happen. I felt like I won the fight. The people won tonight and got one hell of a fight.”

Omar Collazo won a 12-round unanimous decision over Victorio Saludar in a WBA Minimumweight Elimination bout.

In round seven, each scored knockdowns. Collazo dropped Saludar with a body shot. Saludar answered back by dropping Collazo with an uppercut.

Collazo, 105 lbs of Villalba, PR won by scores of 118-110 and 116-112 twice and is now 5-0. Saludar, 104,2 lbs of Misamia, PHL is 21-6.

“It was a tough fight. I had to use my whole toolbox,” said Oscar Collazo. “My opponent was powerful and experienced; he’s a veteran in the sport. But, thanks to my corner, I got in the ring and fought round by round. A world championship is next. I want to be a champion.”

Diego De La Hoya stopped Enrique Bernache in round four of their 10-round featherweight fight.

De La Hoya dominated the action and in round four, landed a barrage of punches in the corner that forced a referee stoppage at 2:51.

De La Hoya, 126 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is now 23-1 with 11 knockouts. Bernahce, 125.2 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-14.

“I felt thrilled to be back, said Diego De La Hoya. “I haven’t fought in two years, so I felt great. My opponent was tough. I’ll probably fight again in September. Hopefully, I will fight for a championship soon.”

Miguel Gaona remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Abdiel Padilla in a super lightweight fight.

In round one, Gaona dropped Padilla with a body shot. Seconds later it was another body shot that put Padilla down again for the 10-count at 1:25.

Gaona, 138.6 lbs of Los Angeles is 3-0 with two knockouts. Padilla, 136 lbs of Caguas, PR is 1-3.




Diaz Jr. and Rakhimov fight to Majority draw

Joseph Diaz Jr. and Shavkat Rakhimov fought to a 12-round majority draw in an IBF Junior Lightweight world title clash at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California.

Diaz was the reigning champion, but he lost his title on Friday when he was more then three pounds over the 130-pound weight limit.

It was a close fights with each guy having good stretches of success with the left hand. The fight was a mirror image as they both landed some solid body blows. The was some solid in-fighting with Rakhimov pulling ahead towards the championship rounds. Diaz had a good 12th and the fight was judged 115-113 for Diaz and 114-114 twice.

Diaz landed 233 of 740 punches; Rakhimov was 213 of 951.

Diaz, 133.6 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 31-1-1. Rakhimov, 129.8 lbs of Ekaterinburg, RUS is 15-1.

“I’m a little upset. I felt I had done enough to win the fight,” said Joseph Diaz Jr. “It was a close fight. It wasn’t my best performance. I didn’t make weight. I lost the belt on the scales. I want to apologize to everyone. I want to apologize to all my fans. It was a mistake on my behalf. No excuses, but I’ll be back. Rakhimov threw a lot of combinations. But a lot of them landed on the gloves. I felt I threw more shots and landed more body punches. I thought I should have won the fight.”

 “I did everything I was supposed to do,” said Shavkat Rakhimov. “Victory was on my side. I feel I won the fight. There were a few mistakes, and we need to work on it. I did everything that was possible. There were a few mistakes, but I will work on that. There is no perfect boxer, and I hope to gain more American fans.”

Castano Decisions Teixeira; Wins WBO Jr. Middleweight title

Brian Castano won the WBO Junior Middleweight title with an emphatic 12-round unanimous decision over Patrick Teixeira.

Castano was relentless in his output by landing hard shots to the head and body for which Teixeira had little answer for. Castano hurt Teixeira badly in round 12 as he landed a hard right that had Teixeira trying to run from Castano. Castano battered him until the final bell.

Castano landed 373 of 1136 punches; Teixeira was 197 of 972.

Castano, 153.8 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111 and is now 16-1-1. Teixeira, 153.4 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 31-.2

“I am very happy. We did a great job with my team,” said Brian Castaño. “It was a good fight. We all mistakes, and I have to fix things here and there, but a fight is a fight. Each fight is different, and I understand that. I knew Teixeia very well going into this fight. He is very strong, and he has a lot of heart. He is a great person. This was one of the greatest wins of my career. Not anyone can be a world champion, and I was able to do it twice. So I am very happy.”

Rios Decisions Negrete

Ronny Rios won a 10-round unanimous decision over Oscar Negrete in a super bantamweight fight.

Rios landed 290 of 880 punches; Negrete was 150 of 830.

Rios, 121.4 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 33-3. Negrete, 121.6 lbs of Tierralta, COL is 19-3-2.

“I should have sat down more on my punches,” said Ronny Rios. “I went in a little bit too much with my head, and I kind of waited too long. But I’m happy with the win. I really want a world title shot for my next fight, and I think this fight was a necessary step in that direction.”

Mosley stops Olivas after 5!

Shane Mosley Jr. stopped Cristian Olivas after round five of their scheduled 10-round super middleweight bout.

In round three, Olivas started to swell around his right eye. The eye kept getting worse as Mosley pounded him repeatedly with left hand, and the fight was stopped by the corner following the 5th frame.

Mosley, 161.6 lbs of Pomona, CA is 17-3 with 10 knockouts. Olivas, 161.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 19-8.

“I had a really tough opponent in there. But I went in there, looked sharp and got the job done. These are the kinds of fights that I need in order to show people that I am ready for a world title.”

Melikuziev stops Fitch in 3

Bektemir Melikuziev stopped Morgan Fitch in round three of their scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round two, the nose of Fitch started to bleed. In round three, Melikuziev dropped Fitch with a straight left. He ended things with a vicious left to the body that sent Fitch down and the fight was stopped at 2:08.

Melikuziev, 170.6 lbs of Indio, CA is 7-0 with six knockouts. Fitch, 170.5 lbs of New Orleans is 19-5-1.

“Despite everything that happened, I think it was a good performance,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “I wish I could have lasted longer and gotten a few more rounds in, but I think it was a good performance. I’m ready for any of the big names in my division.”

Azat Hovhannisyan stopped Enrique Bernache in round eight of their scheduled 10-round featherweight bout.

In round two, Hovhannisyan dropped Bernache.

Bernache, who was complaining of headbutts throughout the fight, bowed out in round eight.

Hovhannisyan, 122.8 lbs of Los Angeles is 19-3 with 16 knockouts. Bernache, 123 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-13.

“I’m very happy,” said Azat Hovhannisyan. “It’s my first time with Robert Garcia. We had a lot of good sparring. I’m No. 1 in the WBA. I want to fight a world champion.”

Victor Morales won an eight-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Guerrero featherweight bout.

Morales, 125.8 lbs of Vancouver, WA won by scores of 80-72 an is now 14-0. Guerrero, 125.8 lbs of Mexico City is 26-10-2.

“After 16 months away from the ring, it feels great to be back,” said Victor Morales Jr. “I knew he was going to be very tough. He is a former world champion, so I knew it was going to be a difficult bout. Either way, I was able to fight either on the outside or on the inside.”

Dalis Kaleiopu made a successful pro debut with a 3rd round stoppage over Eduardo Sanchez in a four round super lightweight bout.

Kaleiopu dropped Sanchez with a hard right uppercut and the fight was stopped 48 seconds into the round.

Kaleiopu, 136 lbs of Waianae, HI is 1-0 with one knockout. Sanchez, 135.6 lbs of Corocoron, CA is 2-4.

“It’s been a long time because of COVID,” said Dalis Kaleiopu. “So, it felt great to finally make my pro debut. I hurt him many times, but I let him go. But then I landed a shot he couldn’t come back from, so it feels good to stop somebody that has never been stopped.




Munguia narrowly keeps title with decision over Hogan


Jaime Munguia barely kept his WBO Junior Middleweight Title with a 12-round majority decision over mandatory challenger Dennis Hogan at The Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

Hogan pressed the action and landed the harder shots. As the fight went on Munguia tried to get back into the fight, and landed some nice body shots. Hogan was deprived of all that hard work as the judges ruled 16-112, 115-113 and 114-114 for Munguia.

Munguiaa, 154 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 33-0. Hogan, 154 lbs of Kildare, IRE is 28-2-1.

Patrick Teixeira won a 10-round majority decision over Mario Lozano in a super welterweight bout

In round six, Teixeira was cut around the left eye from an elbow.

Teixeria won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-95. Teixeira, 154 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is now 30-1. Lozano, 154 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 33-9.

Diego De La Hoya and Enrique Bernache fought to a no-contest when a cut opened up on Bernache in round two of their scheduled 10-round featherweight bout.

A headbutt opened up a deep gash in the middle of Bernache’s forehead at 2:25 of round two.

De La Joya, 126 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 21-0-1. Bernache, 126 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-12-1.




Soto Karass outlasts Macias in record breaking fight


They threw a CompuBox record 3353 punches. they landed over 1100, but it was Jesus Soto Karass closed out his career with a 10-round majority decision over previously undefeated Neeco Macias in a junior middleweight bout at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

In round two, Macias was cu over his right eye. the two fighters threw non-stop punches with Soto Karass landing the more meaningful blows.

Soto Karass, 152.4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and he finishes his career out at 29-13-4. Macias, 153.4 lbs of Palm Desert, CA is 17-1.

“I feel happy. I fought against a great warrior,” said Jesus Soto Karass. “I always say that whether it’s a win, a loss or a draw, the fans always win when they see one of my fights. I will speak with my team to see if this will be my last bout.”

“I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be in the ring with this great warrior,” said Neeco Macias. “I want to thank all of the fans for coming out tonight. We do this for you!”

Manny Robles III won a 10-round split decision over Jose Gonzalez in a featherweight fight.

Robles, 125.4 lbs of Paramount, CA won two cards 97-93 and 96-94. Gonzalez took a card 96-94.

Robles is 17-0. Gonzalez, 125.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 23-7.

“I could have done better tonight,” said Manny Robles III. “He was very awkward and hard to hit. I don’t agree with the decision. I felt I won by unanimous decision, but I’m happy we got the win.”

Emilio Sanchez won a 10-round technical unanimous decision over Enrique Bernache in a super featherweight bout.

Bernache was cut over his left eye and the bout was stopped in the final frame.

Sanchez, 127.2 lbs of Pacoima, CA won by scores of 100-91, 99-92 and 97-94, and is now 17-1. Bernanche, 127.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 24-12.

“It was tough fight and I could have done better,” said Emilio Sanchez. “When he came at me at the beginning of the fight, I decided to keep my composure and stick to the game plan.

D’Mitrius Ballard won an eight-round unanimous decision over Alan Campa in a super middleweight bout.

Ballard, 166.8 lbs of Temple Hills, MD won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 to remain perfect at 19-0. Campa, 166.8 lbs of Guaymas, MEX is 17-4.

“This was my first fight in 15 months,” said D’Mitrius Ballard. “I was off due to some outside issues, but I’m back. I was shaking off some ring rust, and after a layoff like that, I want to come back as soon as possible.”