Former Mexican amateur standout Jesus Cantua made a successful professional debut on Friday, December 20, knocking out Victor Ortiz (0-2) in the first round at the Salon Del Ayuntamiento in his hometown of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
After dropping his foe with a right cross moments into the fight, the 20-year-old lightweight prospect finished him off with a perfectly placed left hook to the body for the ten count.
Cantua, who has won silver and bronze medals at Nationals in Mexico, is trained by Jose Santos Moreno, who also handles WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido. Salido was at ringside for the fight in support of his close friend.
Cantua is also a student at University of Sonora, where he studies business management.
“I’m very happy to have made my pro debut,” said Cantua. “I wanted to wait until I had my degree but the opportunity came to fight here at home so it was too good to pass on.”
Cantua will return to the ring in February in Nogales against an opponent to be named later.
