LAS VEGAS — There were only a couple of draws and lots of controversy for Lamont Roach Jr. last year

This year, there’s only a loss and no controversy.

William Zepeda (33-2, 27 KOs), an incoming missile throughout 12 rounds, eliminated any possibility that Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs)would emerge with a career-correcting victory and a title Saturday night at Virgin Hotel in a TNT/DAZN opener to a monthly series.

On a night with open scoring, Zepeda managed to shut the door on Roach early and often, winning the World Boxing Council’s vacant lightweight title with a unanimous decision — 117-111, 118-110 and 117-111. 

Through the first four rounds, the left-handed Zepeda did what he was expected to. The popular Mexican moved forward, incoming almost in a straight line. Quickly, Roach found himself  on his back foot, often scrambling to find ways to slow Zepeda’s advance.

In the second round, he threw quick combinations. In the third, he tried to target Zepeda’s body. In the fourth, he retreated into a defensive posture, both gloved hands surrounding his face like castle walls.

Still, Zepeda moved forward, scoring with punches and aggressiveness. In a bout with open scoring, Zepeda led narrowly through the first four.

A Roach expectation — perhaps prayer — is that Zepeda would tire some time after the sixth. Then, the plan was for him to use all of the different weapons in his varied skill set. But there was no sign of fatigue apparent in Zepada’s march forward in the seventh and eighth. After eight, Zepeda continued to hold a narrow lead in the open scoring. 

Roach, a Washington DC fighter seeking a second dtile at a second weight,  still had a chance. But there was no chance of Zepeda slowing down. Not this time. He sustained his furious pace, throwing multiple punches — uppercuts, hooks, the kitchen sink — with every step toward his target. 

For Roach, there was no shelter

No title either.

Muratalla scores dominant decision

Raymond Muratalla had options. He still does, perhaps one or two morethan he had a few days ago.

In a business-like bout, Muratalla checked all the boxes with a thorough decision over aging contender Robson Conceicao Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

Muratalla, still the International Boxing Federation’s lightweight champion, kept himself in the hunt for a shot at a unified title, perhaps the World Boxing Council belt that was at stake in Saturday’s  next bout, Lamont Roach-versus-William Zepeda.

More significant,perhaps, he stayed unbeaten, extending his record to 25-0, with 17 KOs). That’s a resume good enough to get some attention in the pound-for-pound neighborhood.

A lot of that was expected, of course. He was a 14-to-1 favorite, one- sided odds that explain why he wasn’t in the main event. He didn’t;t get a knockout or even a knockdown. Still, he was dominant.

Early on, it was evident that Muratalla was the better fighter. He moved forward, his feet moving in a tireless dance all the while. He was setting the pace, aggressively throwing jabs in an apparent effort to test Conceicao’s stamina. The Brazilian is 37. He’ll be 38 in October.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, it looked as if the younger man’s tactics might be working. Conceicao dropped his hands, first to his waist and then down to his hips. It was an invitation for the 29-year-old Muratalla to attack And he did. 

But that’s when Conceicao (21-4-1, 10 KOs) found some life in his legs. He began a sideway shuffle — a step left, two or three steps to the right and a short hop backwards. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to deflect some of the dangerous power headed his way. In the end, however, it was only a way to survive. Only Muratalla would thrive.

Crazy Cards: Curiel wins decision

It was supposed to be a fight fit for television.

But there was more reason to nap than watch Raul Curiel beat Quintin Randall  in a junior-middleweight fight on a Lamont Roach-William Zepeda card that was the first in a monthly TNT-DAZN series.

Curiel (18-0-1, 14) did more, just  enough to win a narrow decision that was a so-called majority, yet all over the place in terms of scores. On one card, it was 97-93 for Curiel. On another, it was 100-90, also for Curiel.  On the third, it was 95-95. Nowhere was a card that made much sense.

Curiel, of Mexico, was more active. Randall (17-4-1), of Houston, was more elusive. Neither was dominant.  

Charles Conwell back with victory

It was dull.

Also predictable.

For Charles Conwell, it had to be.

In Conwell’s first fight in 16 months, the 2016 Olympian (22-1, 17)  needed a victory and he got one Saturday, employing superior speed that kept Paul Kroll (12-1-2. 8 KOs), a Philadelphia junior-middleweight, on his back foot and into a retreat that finally ended with no counter or energy on the Lamont Roach-William Zepeda card at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotel..

With Kroll defenseless and on the ropes, it  ended in the ninth round, Conwell a winner by TKO in his first fight since a loss in April 2025.

Prospect Dylan Capetillo stopped in stunner

Danger is written into a prospect’s job definition.

How much danger?

Dylan Capetillo, a much hyped 17-year-old from Las Vegas, found out Saturday in a stunner Saturday on the card featuring Lamont Roach-William Zepeda at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

It struck hard and fast, a lightning bolt that left Capetillo with his first loss in only three fights. It was delivered by Juan Becerril, a Mexican who also has only three fights yet threw a left hand with all of the authority of a tested veteran.

Becerril (3-0, 2 KOs), knocked down in the second, floored Capetillo (2-1, 1 KO) in  the third. It lifted Capetillo up and onto the canvas with a crash. The back of his head landed hard. He got up. But the referee had seen enough. He ended it at 48 seconds of the round, a hot prospect no more. 

Joel Iriarte stay unbeaten with 8th-round stoppage

Joel Iriarte employed advantages in size and strength to walk down, wear down Jorge Lagunas, who was still on his feet yet unable to offer punch resistance when the welterweight fight was stopped in the eighth round of the fourth bout Saturday on a card featuring Roach-Zepeda at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

Lagunas (19-10, 16 KOs), of Mexico, was unhappy at the stoppage, a decision made by ringside physicians. He walked around the ring, throwing his hands in the air as if to say he wanted to continue. For that, he got applause, but not much else.

Iriarte, of Bakersfield CA, stayed unbeaten (11-0, 10 KOs) and retained a fringe welterweight belt.

Fabian Guzman rocks and rolls to dominant decision

Fabian Guzman threw more punches. They landed with more precision. And with more power.

In the end, Guzman (11-0, 7 KOs), a middleweight from Southern California, simply had  more of everything, all enough to score a unanimous decision over Aaron Coley (17-6-2, 7 KOs), of Oakland, in the third bout on the Roach-Zepeda card Saturday at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel

Gael Cabrera stays unbeaten with dominant decision

Gael Cabrera calls himself Terror.

Terror is what he delivered.

For eight rounds, Cabrera (12-0, 7 KOs), a junior-featherweight prospect from Mexico, scored at will with punches from every possible angle Saturday in the second bout on the Lamont Roach-William Zepeda card at Vegas’ Virgin Hotel.

For an overmatched Francisco Portillo (20-15, 2 KOs), there was nowhere to hide. There was no counter either in a scorecard shutout put together by the dominant Cabrera, a Golden Boy Promotions fighter.

First Bell: Dalis Kaleiopu says Aloha with first-round stoppage

Aloha means hello. 

Means goodbye.

Dalis Kaleiopu delivered both sides of the Hawaiian greeting, saying Hello to the Mainland and then Goodbye to Yeyery Castillo for a stunning first-round stoppage in a knockout opener Saturday to a card featuring Lamont Roach Jr.-versus-William.Zepeda at Virgin Hotel.

Castillo (14-3, 11 KOs), a lightweight from Philadelphia, never had a chance against Kaleiopu, who grew up in Waianae on the leeward side of Oahu, a cultural home for Hawaiian history. There’s power in that heritage. Kaleiopu (9-0, &KOs) displayed it, scoring a first-round stoppage for the third straight time. 

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS —David Benavidez promised dominance. He promised to seize a Cinco de May torch that has belonged to Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez.

For one night, the dominance was there.

So, too was that torch, which Benavidez grabbed with the fastest hands in a dangerous business. It belonged to him Saturday night and perhaps in future years after he claimed a third title in a third division with a sixth-round knockout of Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez, born-and-forged in Phoenix, is the first in history to win titles at 168 pounds, 175 and 200. In effect, he took the snoozer out of cruiser with hands that move at a rocket rate.

“Speed, power and punch selection,” Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) said.”That’s what I do. I’ll fight anybody. Don’t efff with me.”

Zurdo (48-2, 30 KOs) tried. But he had no way of dealing with Benavidez’ singular hand speed. HIs trademark flurries are a blitzkrieg. They overwhelm.

In the fourth round, Zurdo saw it coming at him from angles he never expected. His only escape was to take a knee. A storm shelter wasn’t available. He would got back onto his feet, blood smeared across his nose and both cheeks.

All the while, Zurdo tried to subdue Benavidez with his bigger body and advertised power. 

Benavidez answered the opening bell, looking smaller and somewhat cautious. Within the first round’s final minute, however, he landed the first significant punch, a short right hand. Zurdo countered. Then, however, Benavidez unleashed one of  those swirling, blinding flurries, It was a sign of things to come.

In the second, Zurdo introduced Benavidez to some of that power. It was enough to back Bhim up a step or two. But Zurdo would quickly discover there was nothing he could do to slow down  those hands

In the final second of the sixth, he encountered them again. Still, no counter. This time, the punches cascaded off of Zurdo’s face like incoming waves. Blood poured from his left eye. The right began to swell and take on the color of a purple grape. With one second left in the sixth, it was over. Cinco de Mayo, 2026, officially belonged to Benavidez, who stood in the middle of the ring and repeated his long-standing challenge to Canelo Alvarez, the last man to possess the valuable date..

There was no immediate answer from Canelo, who was at ringside. Then again, Canelo had just witnessed another reason nobody has been able to beat Benavidez, who — hands down — possesses the most devastating weapon in the prizefighting business.

Munguia wins belt, scores dominant decision

Jaime Munguia promised he would return to Tijuana with a title.

Promise fulfilled.

Munguia (46-3, 35 KOs) is homeward bound with a World Boxing Association super-middleweight belt in his bags after he easily beat Armando Resendiz ((48-2, 30 KOs)with superior hand speed, precision and even some surprising endurance.Saturday in the final fight before the David Benavidez-Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez main event at T-Mobile Arena.

For all but the final seconds of the final round, the fight was a mismatch. Put it this way: Munguia dominated Resendiz the way Canelo Alvarez dominated Munguia two years ago. Canelo was there, seated at ringside in support of Munguia. Canelo, who wore a T-shirt that said Jaime, is trained by Eddy Reynoso, who also trains Munguia, who left the ring amid a chorus of Cinco de Mayo cheers.

Within the first few moments, it was clear that Resendiz never had a chance. The scorecards would confirm that. It was Munguia –117-111, 119-109, 120-108. Only in the final seconds did it ever look as if Resendiz, a fellow Mexican, had a chance. 

Munguia was attempting to score a knockout. He swung wildly, leaving himself open. That’s when Resendiz landed a huge overhand right. But Munguia withstood it. Seconds later, he had his promised belt. 

Duarte wins controversial split decision

It began in controversy.

It ended in controversy.

For the winner, there were boos, lots of them.

Oscar Duarte heard them after he was given a split decision over Angel Fierro Saturday night on a Cinco de Mayo card featuring David Benavidez against Zurdo Ramirez at T-Mobile Arena.

“I thought I won this fight,” Duarte (31-2-1, 23 KOs) said. “I believe I won this fight.”

But the chorus of boos said loudly that many didn’t agree. Fierro looked to be in control early. Then, Duarte fought his way back over the final few rounds. Two cards had it for Duarte, 115-113 and 116-112. The third had it 116-112 for Fierro, The Boxing Hour scored it a draw.

Fierro, who was three-plus pounds over the 140-pound mandatory Friday, rocked Duarte repeatedly in the early rounds with a right, a lightning bolt of a punch. Fierro also got floored after the bell ending the fourth. But that right continued to land over the next couple of rounds.

Jose Tito Sanchez wakes up crowd, scores stoppage 

A restless, late-arriving crowd finally got a wake up call, delivered by Jose Tito Sanchez.

Sanchez (16-0, 10 KOs) threw a succession of powerful combinations that put Jorge Chavez down twice in the 10th, a round that finally got  fans out of their seats Saturday at T-Mobile Arena Saturday night on the Benavidez-Zurdo card.

After seven slow-paced bouts on the undercard, Sanchez struck. Suddenly, the crowd roared. It was as if Cinco de Mayo had finally arrived. Only Chavez (18-1-1, 14 KOs), a junior-featherweight from Tijuana, didn’t celebrate. 

First ,a five-punch combo dropped him flat on the canvas. Somehow, he got upright. But not for long. Sanchez, of Cathedral City CA,  quickly followed with another multi-punch combo, finishing Chavez at 2:30 of the 10th.

Ismael Flores scores 154-pound upset

Ismael Flores combined pressure to poise and added just enough patience to a thorough attack that left Isaac Lucero with only one option.

He backpedaled, backpedaled all the way into a  one-sided scorecard loss Saturday on the card featuring Benavidez-Zurdo Saturday at T-Mobile Arena

Flores (18-1-1, 12 KOs), a junior-middleweight from Argentina, sustained his tactical mix throughout 10 rounds, scoring a 98-92, 99-91, 98-92 upset of the favored Mexican, (18-1, 14 KOs), a 9-to-1 betting favorite at opening bell.

Blancas ices Salomon, wins decision

Daniel Blancas calls himself “The Ice Man.” Raul Salomon found out why.

Blancos, still an unbeaten (15-0, 7 KOs) super-middleweight from Milwaukee, repeatedly stopped Salomon’s forward pursuit throughout most of a hard-fought 10 rounds on Benavidez-Zurdo card Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. 

It often looked as if the chilling sting in Blanco’s pouches froze Salomon (16-4-1, 14 KOs) in his tracks, leaving the Southern California fighter without many alternatives in a unanimous-decision loss

Capetillo escapes with narrow decision

Dylan Capetillo, a Las Vegas junior-welterweight, scored repeatedly throughout three-plus rounds and then held onto his scorecard advantage, eluding a late charge from James Pierce for a narrow decision Saturday in the fifth bout on a pay-per-view card featuring Benavidez-Zurdo Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Capetillo won 39-37 on all three cards over Pierce (2-1, 2 KOs), a Phoenix fighte

Carrillo stays unbeaten, delivers body-shot KO

It only takes one punch and Jose Carrillo, of Colombia, threw it, a lethal body shot that sent Marlon Delgado onto the canvas and kept him there for a fifth-round knockout in the fourth bout Saturday on the card featuring Benavidez-Zurdo at T-Mobile Arena..

The punch suddenly reversed Carrillo’s fortunes. Through four rounds, Carrillo (15-0, 11 KOs) was losing to a more active and precise Delgado, an Ecuadorian who lost for the first time in nine light-heavyweight bouts (8-1, 6 KOs).

No knockdowns, no winner either

There were no knockdowns. No cuts or bruising punches..

In the end, there was no winner either.

Julio Ocampo Hernandez, a Washington fighter who trains at David Benavidez’ Seattle gym, and Carlos Lewis, of Oklahoma City, fought to a draw in the third bout on the Benavidez-Zurdo-featured card Saturday.

Neither lightweight could gain much of an advantage throughout the six rounds.One judge scored 58-56 for Hernandez (9-0-1, 5 KOs). One judge scored 58-56 for Lewis (5-1-1, 3 KOs). On the third scorecard, it was 55-55.

Junior-welterweight Javier Meza dominates, wins TKO

Junior welterweight Javier Meza had more hand speed, more power, more accuracy.

More of everything.

Meza (6-0, 3 KOs) overwhelmed Damonte Smith (3-1, 1 KO), an Iowa fighter was knocked down twice in the fourth and was finished, a TKO victim, in the fifth round of the second fight on the Benavidez-Zurdo card Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena.

First Bell: Middleweight Khamukov delivers opening salvo, wins decision

Sometime between brunch and lunch, the show opened in a ring with more people within the ropes than in the seats.

About eight hours before David Benavidez and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez would enter the ring, middleweights Petr Khamukov (14-1,6 KOs) of Los Angeles and Bernard Joseph of Massachusetts got things started in an empty T-Mobile Arena.

With punches echoing throughout the venue, a more aggressive Khamukov, prevailed winning a 10-round unanimous decision, 99-91, 98-92, 99-91.

LAS VEGAS – April 23, 2026 – Rising super middleweight prospect Daniel “Ice Man” Blancas will battle hard-hitting Raul Salomon in the 10-round headlining bout of a three-fight FIRST ON PRIME presentation streaming live and for free on Prime Video on Saturday, May 2 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Streaming action begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT with a battle of undefeated Olympians as Colombia’s Juan Carrillo meets Ecuador’s Marlo Delgado in an eight-round light heavyweight matchup, plus promising 17-year-old welterweight prospect Dylan Capetillo steps in for his second pro fight in a four-round attraction.

These matchups lead into a jam-packed five-fight PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT headlined by a first of its kind Mexico vs. Mexico duel between undefeated two-division world champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and unified WBA and WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

The pay-per-view is highlighted by a slew of Mexico vs. Mexico matchups including WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Armando “Toro” Reséndiz facing all-action former world champion Jaime Munguía in an explosive co-main event clash.

The lineup will also include top contenders going toe-to-toe as Oscar Duarte takes on Angel Fierro in a super lightweight bout, plus undefeated rising Mexican star Isaac “Puro México” Lucero squares off against hard-hitting Ismael Flores, while super bantamweight contenders Jorge Chavez and Jose “Tito” Sanchez open the action with a battle of unbeatens.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through www.AXS.com.

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Sampson Boxing in association with TGB Promotions. Reséndiz vs. Munguia is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing and Zanfer Boxing Promotions. Duarte vs. Fierro is promoted in association with Cancun Boxing and BXSTERS.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. On top of those options, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets, as well as PPV.com.

**DANIEL BLANCAS VS. RAUL SALOMON**

A stablemate of headliner David Benavidez, Daniel Blancas will put his undefeated record on the line against dangerous Mexican veteran Raul Salomon in a 10-round super middleweight affair.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Blancas (14-0 7 KOs) is unbeaten since turning pro in 2022 and will make his 2026 debut following an impressive three-win 2025. The 24-year-old opened the year with a dominant unanimous decision triumph over the previously unbeaten Juan Barajas, before scoring an explosive first round knockout of Kwame Ritter in May. Most recently, Blancas stopped William Townsel in three rounds in December.

“I’m honored to be headlining on Prime Video on May 2,” said Blancas. “This is an incredible card and I can’t wait to give the fans an exciting fight and show my skills. This is gonna be a great night Cinco de Mayo weekend.”

The 27-year-old Salomon (16-3-1, 14 KOs) is unbeaten in his last five outings, including his last bout that saw him stop Juan Carlos Perez Rojo in two rounds in February. A native of Ciudad Morelos, Baja California, Mexico, Salomon has never been stopped, with his three decision defeats coming to opponents with a combined record of 36-1-1 at the time he faced them. He racked up eight-straight stoppage wins after turning pro in October 2020 and has plenty of experience fighting stateside as he prepares for his ninth U.S. outing.

“I’m very prepared for May 2,” said Salomon. “I really feel like I belong in this position and I’m eager to show everyone that this is just the beginning for me.”

**JUAN CARRILLO VS. MARLO DELGADO**

In a rare battle of Olympians with undefeated pro records, Colombia’s Juan Carrillo will go up against Ecuador’s Marlo Delgado in an eight-round light heavyweight attraction.

A native of boxing-rich Barranquilla, Colombia, Carrillo (14-0, 10 KOs) represented his home country at the 2016 Olympics before turning pro in 2019. The 33-year-old now trains in Las Vegas as he looks to build on his most recent outing, a February 2025 first-round KO of Cristian Andres Pena. Currently ranked number 23 by the WBC, Carrillo owns a victory over then unbeaten Richard Vansiclen as well as amateur triumphs over former champion Hassan N’Dam and former title challenger Liam Williams.

“Marlo Delgado is a tough fighter, and I respect anybody who steps in the ring, but I see openings in his style that I’m gonna take advantage of,” said Carrillo. “I’m coming into this fight with a chip on my shoulder and ready to fight like everything is on the line, because it is. Fans can expect action. I’m not here to coast. I’m here to dominate and make it clear I’m a problem in this division.”

After representing his native Ibarra, Ecuador at the 2012 Olympics, Delgado (8-0, 6 KOs) continued to have a prolific amateur career that included sharing the ring with a who’s who of big names including Dmitry Bivol, Terrell Gausha and Christian Mbilli, in addition to triumphs over notable names such as Misael Rodriguez and Endry Saavedra. The 32-year-old began his pro journey in 2019, with his eight fights split between Ecuador and Panama ahead of his U.S. debut on May 2.

“I’m extremely motivated to show what I’m capable of on May 2,” said Delgado. “This is the kind of opportunity I need to prove that I’m ready for the next level. This is going to be a really exciting fight between two Olympians who want to be world champion. I can’t wait to work my hardest to steal the show.”

**DYLAN CAPETILLO VS. TBA**

The son of renowned trainer Jorge Capetillo, Dylan Capetillo (1-0, 1 KOs) recently made his pro debut at just 17-years-old, blasting out Jesus Antonio Rios Castro in one round on April 11. Following up on an impressive amateur career, the Las Vegas-native looks to add another victory when he steps in for a four-round welterweight bout on May 2.

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. ZURDO

Benavidez vs. Zurdo will see a first of its kind Mexico vs. Mexico duel between undefeated two-division world champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and unified WBA and WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video on Saturday, May 2 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Cinco de Mayo Weekend lineup begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with more Mexico vs. Mexico attractions including WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Armando “Toro” Reséndiz and all-action former world champion Jaime Munguía meeting in an explosive co-main event clash.

The action will also include top contenders going toe-to-toe as Oscar Duarte takes on Angel Fierro in a 10-round super lightweight bout, plus undefeated rising Mexican star Isaac “Puro México” Lucero meets hard-hitting Ismael Flores in an eight-round super welterweight tilt and unbeaten Mexican contenders Jorge Chavez and Jose “Tito” Sanchez face off in a 10-round super bantamweight opening attraction.

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Sampson Boxing in association with TGB Promotions. Reséndiz vs. Munguia is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing and Zanfer Boxing Promotions. Duarte vs. Fierro is promoted in association with Cancun Boxing and BXSTRS.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. On top of those options, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets, as well as PPV.com.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezZurdo, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing & @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing & @GoldenBoy, or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions & www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy