Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mex. (Oct. 16, 2025) — Mexican knockout sensation Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza will defend his WBO featherweight world title against Arnold Khegai on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Arena Potosí in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

The Guadalajara native will risk his crown on Mexican soil for the first time, while Khegai receives his long-awaited shot at a world title nearly three years after he first cracked the WBO top 15.

The 12-round junior welterweight co-feature, a high-stakes all-Mexican affair, sees the undefeated Lindolfo Delgado battle Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in an IBF world title eliminator.

The undercard will showcase a trio of Top Rank-promoted Mexican-American stars.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. returns in a 10-round heavyweight contest against Czech veteran Tomas Salek, while rising junior welterweight Emiliano Fernando Vargas competes in his first scheduled 10-rounder versus Jonathan Montrel.

17-year-old junior lightweight prodigy Julian “El Natural” Montalvo (4-0, 3 KOs), who hails from Las Vegas, aims for his third triumph of the year in a six-rounder.

“Rafael Espinoza is a unique talent, a 6-foot-1 featherweight with devastating knockout power in either hand. He is a dominant force, but I expect Arnold Khegai to be a formidable test,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “San Luis Potosí is a great fight town, and I’m thrilled that the Mexican fans will have an opportunity to see several future world champions in action on the undercard.”

Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) captured the WBO featherweight world title in December 2023 with a majority decision over two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez. In what was ESPN’s Upset of the Year, Espinoza rose from the canvas in the fifth before returning the favor in the climactic 12th stanza to clinch the decision. Since then, he has made three defenses, stopping Sergio Chirino in four rounds in June 2024, halting Ramirez in six in their rematch that December, and battering Edward Vazquez in May in Las Vegas.

Espinoza said, “I’m happy and anxious to get back into the ring because it will be in my country, with my people. I want to display new tools from my arsenal. I know Arnold Khegai is strong, but that’s motivating me to keep demonstrating that I am ready for big things. I can’t wait for the support from the Mexican fans.”

Khegai (23-2-1, 14 KOs), who is of Korean descent, took up combat sports in his teens to help support his family. A two-time world champion in Thai boxing and a Ukrainian national amateur champion, he turned professional in 2015 before making his debut stateside in 2018 with a decision victory over Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez. Khegai is 7-1 since moving up to featherweight, with his only blemish coming via split decision to division mainstay Joet Gonzalez in March. Khegai, ranked No. 9 by the WBO, returned to winning ways with an eight-round decision over Liborio Solis in September.

“When my team mentioned Rafael Espinoza as an opponent, I told them to do whatever it takes to make the fight,” Khegai said. “I’ve had a long journey in boxing, and this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am coming to Mexico to ruin his homecoming.”

Delgado (23-0, 16 KOs) emerged as a contender in August 2022 with a unanimous decision over then-unbeaten Mexican Omar Aguilar. He has since turned back several other top countrymen, a run that includes a sterling knockout of Luis Hernandez and a seventh-round stoppage of Carlos Sanchez. Delgado earned this title eliminator opportunity in April against Elvis Rodriguez, sweeping the 10th and final round on all three judges’ cards to win a majority decision.

Valenzuela (31-4-1, 17 KOs) is a 30-year-old contender from Guadalajara who broke onto the scene in 2021 by edging British veteran Robbie Davies Jr. in London. He followed up with two stoppage wins on home soil before making his second trip abroad, dropping a decision to then-unbeaten Montana Love in Las Vegas in May 2022. He returned the following February and blitzed Yves Ulysse Jr. in one round and compiled four more wins before March’s stoppage loss to former world champion Subriel Matias. Valenzuela bounced back with a decision over Manuel Medina Barrera in May.

Torrez (13-0, 11 KOs) turned pro in March 2022 and has surged through the ranks with a high-pressure southpaw style. He handed Brandon Moore his first pro loss via fifth-round stoppage in May 2024, won by disqualification against Joey Dawejko that September, and ended the year with a third-round TKO over Issac Muñoz. Torrez made his headlining debut in Las Vegas in April, vanquishing Italian Olympian Guido Vianello by unanimous decision. Salek (23-7, 14 KOs) is an eight-year pro coming off a second-round TKO over countryman Daniel Kubelka in June.

Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs), the streaking second-generation phenom, is the youngest son of former world champion Fernando Vargas. The 21-year-old turned pro in 2022 and went 4-0 with three knockouts in 2024. This year, he’s looked even sharper, stopping every opponent within two rounds: Giovannie Gonzalez in March, Juan Leon in May, and Alexander Espinoza in 42 seconds of round one in his New York City debut in July. New Orleans native Montrel (19-3, 13 KOs) has won four consecutive bouts since a pair of 2023 decision defeats.




VIDEO: Emiliano Vargas “Saturday Night is my Brother’s Night. I will be back in November”




Xander Zayas to Battle Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN

NEW YORK CITY (May 29, 2025) — At 16, Puerto Rican rising star Xander Zayas became Top Rank’s youngest signee. Now, at just 22, he’s ready to seize his first world title.

Zayas will take on upset-minded Mexican puncher Jorge Garcia for the vacant WBO junior middleweight world championship on Saturday, July 26, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

In the co-feature, Brooklyn native Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and unbeaten Namibian Mateus Heita will collide for the WBC interim featherweight world title.

And, in the eight-round televised opener, Mexican American prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas returns against Ecuador’s Alexander Espinoza in a junior welterweight showdown.

Zayas-Garcia, Carrington-Heita, and Vargas-Espinoza will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets go on sale Friday, June 6 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com.  

“When we signed Xander at the age of 16, he was a teenager with all the potential in the world. He’s now an accomplished young contender with a tremendous opportunity to win his first world title,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Jorge Garcia has been impressive lately, and I expect an action-packed, dramatic main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.”

Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) looks to become Puerto Rico’s next world champion almost six years after turning pro as a 17-year-old. He became a contender in August 2022 after knocking out Elias Espadas to win the NABO title. Zayas has made seven defenses of the NABO strap, including one-sided decisions over Damian Sosa and former world champion Patrick Teixeira in 2024. He kicked off his 2025 campaign in February with a savage ninth-round stoppage over German puncher Slawa Spomer. Zayas grew up idolizing Miguel Cotto, another Puerto Rican standout who turned pro under the Top Rank banner. Cotto won his first world title, the WBO junior welterweight strap, in September 2004. More than two decades later, Zayas looks to follow the lead of his boxing hero.

??”This is a dream I’ve worked hard for my entire life. I’ve got a good opponent in Jorge Garcia, a Mexican hungry to become a world champion,” Zayas said. “But I’m ready to raise the Puerto Rican flag high in victory and become a world champion at 22 years old. See you all on July 26.”

Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs) enters the assignment against Zayas riding an eight-fight winning streak, which began with a seventh-round knockout over then-unbeaten countryman Hector Andres Reyes in June 2023. During that streak, he has played the road warrior role, knocking out Angel Cruz Johnson in the Dominican Republic and Roarke Knapp in South Africa. In April, Garcia snatched the ‘0’ of the highly touted unbeaten U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell, securing a split decision over “Bad News” in Oceanside, California. The good news from the Conwell triumph was a WBO No. 2 ranking and a shot at the title.

“A lot of people thought I wasn’t going to win my last fight, but I scored a stunning upset,” said Garcia. “Even though I was the underdog, I shocked the world. This fight won’t be any different. Becoming a world champion is my dream, and I’m ready to make it come true on July 26 with a dominant win over Xander Zayas. Mexico will have a new champion this summer.”

Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs) has not found a long list of willing dance partners as he’s ascended the featherweight hierarchy. He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBC and WBO, No. 2 by the WBA, and No. 4 by the IBF, the result of several high-profile victories against seasoned veterans. Carrington went 4-0 in 2024, beginning the year in February with a highlight-reel stoppage of Bernard Torres and ending it with a shutout decision over Dana Coolwell on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bill. “Shu Shu” took out his frustration on Jose Enrique Vivas in March, becoming the first man to stop the Mexican pressure fighter. After knocking down Vivas in round two, Carrington ended the fight in the third. 

“It’s always a thrill to fight in my city, and I can’t wait to bring the ‘Shu Shu Show’ back to The Theater at Madison Square Garden,” Carrington said. “The featherweight division is full of champions who have refused my challenge, so I credit Heida for accepting. That said, I will take out my frustration on him on July 26 and continue putting the division on notice.”

Heita (14-0, 9 KOs) is the latest hopeful from Namibia, a coastal African nation that has produced world champions Julius Indongo, Paulus Moses, and Paulus Ambunda in recent years. A stablemate of longtime contender Jeremia Nakathila, Heita turned pro as a junior featherweight in 2018, going 9-0 before moving up in weight. Last November, he stopped Tatenda Biningu in nine rounds to win the WBO Africa featherweight title. In April, Heita notched a one-sided 12-round decision over South Africa’s Abdulaziz Kunert.

“I’ve proven to the world that I’m a world-class boxer, and facing the best has always been my ambition because I believe I’m destined for greatness,” said Heita. “I see Bruce as just another obstacle to becoming a world champion. There’s nothing particularly special about him — he’s simply another challenge I will overcome.”

Vargas (14-0, 12 KOs), the youngest son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, has continued to live up to the family legacy since turning pro in 2022. The 20-year-old moved up to junior welterweight last year and went 4-0 with four knockouts, including brutal stoppages over Angel Varela, Jose Zaragoza, and Larry Fryers. In March, he kicked off his 2025 campaign with a highlight-reel second-round TKO against Giovannie Gonzalez. He returned five weeks later to stop Juan Leon in two on the Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undercard in May. Espinoza (20-3-1, 9 KOs) is an 11-year pro coming off back-to-back wins at home following a loss to Rogelio Jimenez last July.

“Like 50 Cent said, I run New York. All jokes aside, I’m ready to perform on the biggest stage and continue to win,” Vargas said. “Each fight is one step closer to becoming the world champion God called me to be.”

The ESPN+-streamed undercard is scheduled to include second-generation Puerto Rican star Juanmita Lopez De Jesus (2-0, 1 KO) and the pro debut of Team USA amateur sensation Julius ‘JuJu’ Ballo.

Lopez, the son of former two-weight world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, will return in a four-round junior bantamweight tilt against Jorge Gonzalez-Sanchez (5-2, 4 KOs). In April, the 19-year-old fought in his home country in his last outing, decisioning Malik Quinonez-Torres over four rounds.

Ballo, a decorated international amateur standout, will fight Brandan Ayala (2-0, 1 KO) in a four-round featherweight bout. The 22-year-old enters the paid ranks with an accomplished resume that includes wins over several of the nation’s elite.




Rafael Espinoza and Emiliano Fernando Vargas Host Mexico City Press Conference

MEXICO CITY (April 9, 2025) — WBO featherweight world champion Rafael Espinoza and Mexican-American junior welterweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas joined forces for a special press conference Tuesday afternoon in Mexico City.

Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) will defend his crown against former world title challenger Edward Vazquez as the co-feature to the Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undisputed junior featherweight world title showdown on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs), the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will see action on the bill in an eight-rounder against an opponent to be named.

A capable singer, Espinoza regaled the crowd with his rendition of “El Rey” while backed by a mariachi band. He then visited the famed Romanza Gym, where Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristáin has nurtured world champions such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Jhonny Gonzalez for over three decades. Espinoza aims to make the third defense of his title on Cince De Mayo weekend, five months removed from a sixth-round TKO over Robeisy Ramirez in their rematch.

Vargas made his 2025 debut on March 29 with a blistering second-round stoppage over Giovannie Gonzalez. Fully recovered from a hand injury that sidelined him for several months, Vargas makes a rapid return on a Las Vegas super card.

This is what Espinoza and Vargas had to say at Tuesday’s press conference.

Rafael Espinoza 

“We know that Vazquez is an opponent who is very prepared. We know that it’s going to make for a great fight. He’s a warrior who’s not going to give up because he wants everything that I have. So, you are going to see the best version of ‘El Divino.'”

“The Vazquez fight is my priority, but I want the {Inoue} fight because it’s going to make me a pound-for-pound fighter, and that’s my goal. It’s a very strong goal.”

“I haven’t shown what I’m capable of. I’m a world champion, but I want to show that I’m the best.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

“This is something really special to me, being here in Mexico City, which is where my blood is from. I’m proud to be Mexican and American and happy to be here.”

“I want to keep winning. I want to keep growing. The only thing I’m focused on is my May 4 bout, and we have about four fights planned for this year. But I gotta get through May 4 first and keep winning. I’m going to shine like the star that God made me. He made me in his image and a little in the image of my dad. I’m happy to be back May 4.”

Inoue-Cardenas and Espinoza-Vazquez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Vargas’ bout and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale now via AXS.com.




Mayer Decisions Ryan Again; Retains Welterweight Title

Mikaela Mayer made it two-for-two as she once again won a 10-round unanimous decision over Sandy Ryan to defend the WBO Welterweight title at The Fountainbleau Hotel in Las Vegas.

In round eight, Mayer was cut over the left eyelid from a headbutt.

Mayer landed 178 of 516 punches. Ryan was 146 of 377.

Mayer, 146 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice to up her record to 21-2. Ryan, 145.5 lbs of Derby, England is 7-3-1.

Mayer said, “I sat on my shots more and committed to my hooks more. Those hooks were coming over the top. Sandy tends to stand straight up. She comes forward and puts the pressure on. So we worked on chopping her down with those hooks over the top.”

“I had been needing to move to welterweight for a long time. So, when I finally did, it just took a good, solid year and a half of hard work. This is where I’m comfortable, and this is where I should have been.”

“I beat Sandy Ryan twice. Now it’s time for me to move on and go for undisputed, which is against Lauren Price.

Norman Jr. Stops Cuevas in 3; Retains Welterweight Title

Brian Norman Jr. made the first defense of the WBO Welterweight title with a third round stoppage of Derrieck Cuevas.

In round three, Norman dropped Cuevas with a left hook to the head. Cuevas got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Norman, 146.7 lbs of Atlanta is now 27-0 with 21 knockouts. Cuevas, 146.3 lbs of Catano, PR is 27-2-1.

Norman said, “I feel wonderful. I had a little ring rust to start off, but you saw that I shook that off real quick.”
 
“I was just getting back into it. I was out for 10 months. So, it was just about getting back into the field and being in front of everybody. As you saw, it wasn’t a struggle at all. Great opponent. Only has one defeat. And you saw what I did to him.”
 
“I want one of these {other} belts. I see them out here trying to make unification fights. Where’s my little piece at?”

Bruce Carrington took out Jose Enrique Vivas in round three of their 10-round featherweight bout.

In round two, Carrington dropped Vivas with an uppercut. In round three, Carrington continued to batter Vivas with right hands and the fight was stopped at 53 seconds.

Carrington, 125.3 lbs of Brooklyn is now 15-0 with nine knockouts. Vivas, 125.8 lbs of Mexico is 23-4.

Carrington said. “Every fight is not going to be a knockout, but I’m always performing and do what I have to do.”

“I just saw him opening up. He was doing exactly what I wanted him to do. That was part of the game plan. I wanted him to feel comfortable and open up. And then I was just going to get my shots on the inside and get him out of there.”

“Nick Ball? Yeah, I want that. Stephen Fulton? Yeah, I want that. Let’s get this work in. I want all of ya’ll.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas remained undefeated and stopped Giovannie Gonzalez in round two of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Vargas landed two hard rights that was followed by a left hook that dumped Gonzalez on his back. Gonzalez got to his feet but stumbled and the fight was stopped at 2:08

Vargas, 138.6 lbs of Las Vegas is now 13-0 with 11 knockouts, Gonzalez, 138.3 lbs of Lodi, CA is 20-8-2.

Tiger Johnson stopped Kendo Castaneda in round five of their eight-round welterweight fight.

In round five, Johnson dropped Castaneda with a right to the body. Later in the round it was another left that sent Castaneda down and the fight was stopped at 2:00.

Johnson, 146 lbs of Cleveland is 15-0 with seven knockouts. Castaneda, 146.8 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 21-9.

Dedrick Crocklem stopped Dionne Ruvalcaba in the opening round of their four round junior lightweight bout.

Crocklem swarmed Ruvalcaba with a series of right hooks and the bout was stopped at

Crocklem, 128.6 lbs of Tacoma, WA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Guzman, 128.8 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 2-2.

Emmanuel Chance made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Miguel Guzman in a bantamweight bout.

Chance, 119.4 lbs of East Orange, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is 1-0. Guzman, 118.7 lbs of San Bernadino, CA is 1-1.




March 29: Emiliano Fernando Vargas-Giovannie Gonzalez and Troy Isley-Etoundi Michel William Added to Mikaela Mayer-Sandy Ryan II Undercard at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 21, 2025) — Junior welterweight sensation Emiliano Fernando Vargas and Olympic middleweight standout Troy Isley made important strides last year but now look to take bigger leaps as they initiate their 2025 campaigns on Saturday, March 29, at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
 
Vargas will take on veteran Giovannie Gonzalez in an eight-rounder, while Isley squares off against Etoundi Michel William in a 10-round clash. 
 
Vargas-Gonzalez and Isley-William join a loaded card headlined by the WBO welterweight world title rematch between reigning queen Mikaela Mayer and former champion Sandy Ryan.
 
In the co-feature, Brian Norman Jr. makes the first defense of his WBO welterweight world title against Puerto Rico’s Derrieck Cuevas.

Mayer-Ryan II and Norman-Cuevas will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Unbeaten featherweight contender Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington will face Jose Enrique Vivas in a 10-round WBC final eliminator, the featured bout of the ESPN+-streamed undercard. Vargas-Gonzalez and Isley-William will also stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets are on sale via https://www.fontainebleaulasvegas.com/entertainment/top-rank-boxing/.
 
Vargas (12-0, 10 KOs), the 20-year-old son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando “Feroz” Vargas, had a banner 2024. He outpointed Nelson Hampton in March before stopping Angel Varela in the sixth round in May. A month later, he tore through Jose Zaragoza with a series of left uppercuts to score a first-round stoppage and tallied a fifth-round TKO over Larry Fryers in September. Gonzalez (20-7-2, 15 KOs) is an eight-year pro who last fought in October, pushing unbeaten Jose Luis Vazquez the distance before dropping an eight-round decision. 
 
Isley (14-0, 5 KOs) launched his pro career in February 2021, racking up 10 wins before linking up with 2023 Trainer of the Year Brian “BoMac” McIntyre. The 26-year-old piled up three wins in 2024. In March, he broke down Marcos Hernandez before stopping him in the seventh. Three months later, he settled unfinished business with Javier Martinez, beating his former amateur rival over 10 rounds. He returns after cruising past Tyler Howard in November. William (16-1, 12 KOs) is a 31-year-old native of Ivory Coast who suffered his first defeat against Jose Miguel Borrego in October.
 
In other ESPN+ undercard action:
 
Cleveland’s Tiger Johnson (14-0, 6 KOs) will return in an eight-round welterweight tilt against San Antonio-born spoiler Kendo Castaneda (21-8, 9 KOs). Last year, he vanquished Paulo Cesar Galdino via first-round TKO in February and registered eight-round decision victories over Tarik Zaina in June and Yomar Alamo in September. Johnson, a Tokyo Olympian, was supposed to fight on Feb. 14 before his opponent withdrew due to weight issues. 
 
Dedrick Crocklem (1-0, 1 KO), the latest fistic uber-talent from Tacoma, Washington, goes for pro win number two in a four-round junior lightweight tilt versus Dionne Ruvalcaba (2-1, 1 KO). Crocklem signed with Top Rank in December and made his pro debut last month in Tacoma with a hometown second-round TKO against Nesly Trezile. 
 
More information about Fontainebleau Las Vegas, including accommodations, dining, and entertainment listings, can be found at fontainebleaulasvegas.com.
 
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About Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a 67-story, vertically integrated luxury resort that brings a legacy of timeless elegance and unparalleled service to the Strip. Certified by the Green Building Initiative with three Green Globes, the resort’s thoughtful design allows guests to move effortlessly among 3,644 luxury hotel rooms and suites, 550,000 square feet of customizable meeting and convention space, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, a collection of world-class restaurants and shops, exquisite pools, vibrant nightlife, and vitality-enhancing spa and wellness offerings. Located at 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., adjacent to the acclaimed Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall expansion, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is created by Fontainebleau Development in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments.




Tickets ON SALE NOW for Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez 2 / Rafael Espinoza vs. Robeisy Ramirez 2 World Title Doubleheader December 7 at Footprint Center in Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Oct. 25, 2024) — Tickets are on sale NOW for the fistic event of the holiday season headlined by a pair of long-awaited rematches on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mexican action hero Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete defends his WBO junior lightweight world title in the main event against countryman and former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez. Navarrete and Valdez fought a 12-round firefight in August 2023 in Glendale, Arizona, with Navarrete earning a unanimous decision.

In the co-feature, WBO featherweight world champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza defends his crown against Cuban star Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez, the man he dethroned to win the title last December.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.

Navarrete-Valdez II and Espinoza-Ramirez II will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Undercard action, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S., includes heavyweight hopeful Richard Torrez Jr. (11-0, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder against an opponent to be named, junior welterweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas (12-0, 10 KOs) fighting Alan Ayala (11-4, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs) taking on Jackson Marinez (22-3, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

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About Footprint Center
Located in downtown Phoenix, Footprint Center is a world-class sports and entertainment venue that is home to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the industry’s biggest and brightest concerts and shows. For more information, visit FootprintCenter.com and follow for news and updates on InstagramFacebook and X.




Sept. 20: Andres Cortes-Charly Suarez & Emiliano Fernando Vargas-Larry Fryers Round Out ESPN-Televised Munguia-Bazinyan Tripleheader at Desert Diamond Arena

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 14. 2024) — Undefeated junior lightweight contenders Andres “Savage” Cortes and Charly Suarez will collide in a high-stakes 10-rounder on Friday, Sept. 20, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Cortes-Suarez will be the co-feature to the 12-round super middleweight main event between Mexican superstar Jaime Munguia and the unbeaten Erik Bazinyan.

The eight-round televised opener sees undefeated junior welterweight Emiliano Fernando Vargas step up in class against upset-minded Irishman Larry Fryers.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, Zanfer Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions, Munguia-Bazinyan, Cortes-Suarez, and Vargas-Fryers will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale NOW via Ticketmaster.com.

Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs), an eight-year pro from Las Vegas, is a top 10-ranked contender by the WBC and WBO at 130 pounds. He’s had a breakout 2024, knocking out Bryan Chevalier in four rounds in February and edging former world title challenger Abraham Nova by unanimous decision in June. Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs), a 2016 Filipino Olympian, is ranked No. 6 by the WBO and IBF. He’s fought on a pair of Top Rank on ESPN bills, winning a one-sided decision over Yohan Vasquez last August and turning away the game Louie Coria over eight rounds in April. 

“Ever since the Nova fight, I’ve been working on my craft in the gym. I’m showing the world my full arsenal on September 20,” Cortes said. “I want a world title shot soon, and I need to earn it with a devastating performance over Suarez.” 

Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs), the youngest fighting son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, makes his fourth outing of 2024 as he continues to build his résumé as one of the sport’s top prospects. Since jumping to junior welterweight, “El General” has scored a pair of knockouts, including June’s first-round destruction of the normally durable Jose Zaragoza. Fryers (13-6-1, 5 KOs) has won two straight fights, turning his career around following a six-bout winless streak. He last fought in June 2023, securing a technical decision over Dimash Niyazov, who entered the contest with a 14-1-3 record.

Undercard action, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+, includes the following bouts:

In a scheduled eight-rounder, heavyweight knockout artist Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs), the Olympic silver medal star from Tulare, California, faces his most experienced foe in Philadelphia native Joey Dawejko (28-11-4, 16 KOs). Torrez has been extended past the third round only twice in his young career, while Dawejko has won seven of his past eight fights. 
 
Welterweight prospect Art Barrera Jr. (6-0, 4 KOs) looks for his fifth victory of 2024 in a six-rounder against Jose Belloso (5-4, 5 KOs).

Junior lightweight DJ Zamora (13-0, 9 KOs), a Las Vegan southpaw of Filipino heritage, will see action in an eight-round clash. Zamora earned a decision win over Mexican veteran Jose Antonio Meza in June.

Junior bantamweight phenom Steven Navarro (3-0, 2 KOs), the latest uber-talent from Los Angeles, returns in a six-rounder versus Oscar Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs). Navarro picked up win number three last Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, stopping Israel Camacho in the opening round.
 
Up-and-coming junior featherweight Sebastian Hernandez (16-0, 15 KOs) steps up against former interim world champion Yonfrez Parejo (24-6-1, 12 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
 

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About Desert Diamond Arena
Desert Diamond Arena, an ASM Global managed venue, is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose sports and entertainment facility situated on 13.5 acres in the city of Glendale, Arizona. The arena entertains over one million visitors annually through concerts, family shows and sporting events. The arena anchors the Westgate Entertainment District, Arizona’s Entertainment Destination, located on 223 acres for shopping, dining, entertainment and commercial offices.




Jaime Munguia vs. Erik Bazinyan Tickets ON SALE NOW

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 7, 2024)— Tickets for the 12-round super middleweight showdown between Mexican star Jaime Munguia and unbeaten contender Erik Bazinyan — Friday, Sept. 20, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona—are ON SALE NOW via Ticketmaster.com.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, Zanfer Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions, Munguia-Bazinyan and additional fight action will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will have coverage in the U.K. and Ireland.
 
Rising junior welterweight prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas (11-0, 9 KOs) and heavyweight U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) will see action in separate eight-rounders. More information on their bouts will be announced shortly.
 
Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) continues his active 2024 campaign, which began in January in Phoenix when he stopped British former world title challenger John Ryder in nine rounds. Less than four months later, he faced countryman Canelo Alvarez, rising from the canvas in the fourth before losing via unanimous decision in a bid for the undisputed crown. A former world champion, Munguia held the WBO junior middleweight world title for almost two years and made five defenses, including a dominant win over Liam Smith.
 
Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs), an 11-year pro from Armenia, moved to Canada as a teenager and has since developed into one of Quebec’s most popular attractions. A regional champion since 2018, he has fought his last seven bouts in Montreal, including a sixth-round stoppage of American veteran Ronald Ellis last October. In 2024, Bazinyan has also been active, knocking out Billi Facundo Godoy in three rounds in January and fighting to a 10-round draw versus Shakeel Phinn in May.
 

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About Desert Diamond Arena
Desert Diamond Arena, an ASM Global managed venue, is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose sports and entertainment facility situated on 13.5 acres in the city of Glendale, Arizona. The arena entertains over one million visitors annually through concerts, family shows and sporting events. The arena anchors the Westgate Entertainment District, Arizona’s Entertainment Destination, located on 223 acres for shopping, dining, entertainment and commercial offices.




Teofimo Lopez Decisions Steve Claggett; Retains Junior Welterweight Title

Teofimo Lopez made the second defense of the WBO/Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over game challenger Steve Claggett at the James L. Knight Center in Miami.

In round 11, Claggett began to bleed from his nose.

Lopez landed 315 of 946 punches. Claggett was 140 of 820.

Lopez, 139.4 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109 and is now 21-1. Claggett, 139,5 lbs of Calgary, CAN is 36-8-2.

Lopez said, “I knew exactly what kind of fighter he was. I knew he would come forward and test my conditioning. And that’s what we had. We went twelve rounds.”

“The will has to be stronger than the skill. And that’s what we showed tonight. If I was tired, I know he was more tired because I worked very hard for this. We knew we had to break him down. The body shots were hurting him.”

“I’m very grateful. He’s a tough fighter. I don’t think anyone should overlook him. I knew that coming into this.”

Robeisy Ramirez Scores Spectacular 7th Round KO over Brandon Leon Benitez

Former world featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez scored a highlight-reel seventh round stoppage over Brandon Leon Benitez in a scheduled 10-round bout.

In round five, Benitez began to bleed from the nose.

In round seven, Ramirez started bleeding from the mouth. Later in the round, Ramirez uncorked a devastating right uppercut to the bottom of the chin plummeted Benitez to the canvas and he could not beat the count at 2:46.

Ramirez, 124.8 lbs of Cienfuego, CUB is now 14-2 with nine knockouts. Benitez, 127.1 lbs of Quereitaro, MEX is 21-3.

Ramirez will look to hopefully rematch Rafael Espinoza in his next bout.

Ramirez said, “It’s no secret that Ismael Salas is one of the best strategists in the world. And so the plan was to wear him down little by little. Then, after the last round, he tells me not to look for power shots but to move a bit and to return to my {amateur} roots. That’s what I did. I touched and touched, and I found the shot.”
 
“It’s not my first time landing a shot like that. It feels good to land a punch like that because it demonstrates that we worked hard in camp.”
 
“I want my title back. I want the rematch against Rafael Espinoza. If it’s not with him, then I can fight against any of the other champions.”

Nico Ali Walsh Gets Even and Decisions Sona Akale

Nico Ali Walsh got even with Sona Akale but scoring a knockdown and fighting through a shoulder injury to win a six-round unanimous decision in a middleweight fight.

At the end of round three, Ali Walsh landed a left to the side of the head that put Akale on the canvas.

In round four, Ali Walsh was bruised under his right eye. In round five, Akale was cut over his right eye. In round six, Ali Walsh dislocated his left shoulder but was able to finish the fight.

Ali Walsh landed 91 of 340 punches. Akale was 118 of 325.

Ali Walsh, 156.9 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 58-55 twice and 57-56 and is now 11-1. Akale, 156.3 lbs of Saint Paul, MN is now 9-2.

The win for Ali Walsh was a rematch of a bout that Akale won on August 26, 2023

Emiliano Fernando Vargas remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Jose Zaragoza in a junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Vargas dropped Zaragoza with a perfect counter right. Vargas was all over Zaragoza and landed a big uppercut that rocked Zaragoza and the fight was stopped at 1:32.

Vargas, 139.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Zaragoza, 139.1 lbs of Sedalia, MEX is 9-9-2.

Elvis Rodriguez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jino Rodrigo in an action and knockdown filled junior welterweight bout.

It was a wild opening frame as Rodrigo struck first by shockingly dropping Rodriguez with an overhand right to the head. Rodriguez was hurt badly and with Rodrigo landing hard shots on the ropes, Rodriguez turned the tables by landing a short right hook that put Rodriguez on the canvas. At the end of round three, Rodriguez scored a knockdown when he landed another quick right hook.

Rodriguez, 141.6 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 98-91 twice and 97-92 and is now 16-1-1. Rodrigo, 141.2 lbs of Angomo, PHL is 12-4-2.

Lorenzo Medina remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Detrailious Webster in a heavyweight bout.

Medina, 235.6 lbs of Miami won by scores of 60-54, 60-53 and 59-55 and is now 11-0. Webster, 247.7 lbs Courtland, MS is now 7-4.

Rohan Polanco stopped Luis Hernandez in round two of their of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Polanco dominated the fight and landed a hard combination that punctuated by a perfect left uppercut that forced a toppage at 2:28.

Polanco, 142.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is now 13-0 with eight knockouts. Hernandez, 143 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 23-5.

Yan Santana went the distance for the first time, but he remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Brandon Valdes in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Santana dropped Valdes with a left hook to the chin.

Santana, 127 lbs of La Romana, DR won by scores of 98-91 twice and 96-93 and now 12-0. Valdes, 127 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 15-5

Euri Cedeno made short work of Dormedes Potes by scoring an opening minute knockout in an eight-roundmiddleweight bout.

Cedenro landed a left and right to the body that put Potes down for the count at 58 seconds.

Cendeno, 161.4 lbs of La Romana, DR is now 9-0-1 with eight knockouts. Potes, 161.7 lbs of Braanquilla, COL is 14-7-1.




June 21: Emiliano Fernando Vargas Returns Against Jose Zaragoza on Rafael Espinoza-Sergio Chirino Undercard at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on ESPN+

LAS VEGAS (May 24, 2024) — Junior welterweight prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas is ready for the next step. The Las Vegas uber talent will fight in his first scheduled eight-rounder against battle-tested veteran Jose Zaragoza on Friday, June 21, inside BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Vargas-Zaragoza is part of a loaded card headlined by the featherweight world title fight between WBO champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and challenger Sergio Chirino and the junior lightweight co-feature between Andres “Savage” Cortes and Abraham “El Super” Nova.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, the card will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. and on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

“I am steadily progressing toward fulfilling what God has written for me. I am inching closer to my destiny of becoming a world champion,” Vargas said. “It’s not just a dream; it’s my destiny, and I’ll continue to show it fight by fight.”

Vargas (10-0, 8 KOs), son of former junior middleweight champion Fernando Vargas, is coming off a sixth-round stoppage over Angel Varela last Saturday in San Diego. “El General” is 3-0 with three second-round knockouts when fighting in Las Vegas. Zaragoza (9-8-2, 3 KOs), from Jalisco, Mexico, is a five-year pro who has tested a host of top prospects, including Keyshawn Davis and Ernesto Mercado. He has not been stopped in over two years and is coming off an eight-round draw last November against 36-fight veteran Victor Betancourt Jr.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

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About BleauLive Theater
BleauLive Theater is the entertainment hub of Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, customizable theater capable of hosting up to 3,800 guests. More information about Fontainebleau Las Vegas dining, events, entertainment, rooms and suites can be found at fontainebleaulasvegas.com.

About Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a 67-story, vertically integrated luxury resort. Rooted in the 70-year history of the iconic Fontainebleau brand, Fontainebleau Las Vegas brings a legacy of timeless elegance and unparalleled service to the Strip. Certified by the Green Building Initiative with three Green Globes, the resort’s thoughtful design allows guests to move effortlessly among 3,644 luxury hotel rooms and suites, 550,000 square feet of customizable meeting and convention space, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, a collection of world-class restaurants and shops, exquisite pools, vibrant nightlife, and vitality-enhancing spa and wellness offerings. Located at 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., adjacent to the acclaimed Las Vegas Convention Center expansion, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is created by Fontainebleau Development in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments.




Stevenson Decisions De Los Santos to Win Lightweight Belt

In a fight that was void of action, Shakur Stevenson became a three-division world champion as he captured the WBC Lightweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Edwin De Los Santos at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Not much happened in the fight as neither guy pushed forward. Stevenson was able to jab more effectively, while the handful of times that De Los Santos tried to press, he was ineffective as the elusive Stevenson was never in range.

Stevenson landed 65 of 209 punches. De Los Santos was 40 of 316.

Stevenson picked it up over the final six-rounds and won by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 twice.

Stevenson, 133.8 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 21-0. De Los Santos, 134.3 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 16-2.

Stevenson said, “I had a bad performance tonight. That’s all I’m really focused on. I wasn’t feeling too good, so I’ll live with it. It’s okay. I came here and got the victory, and that’s all I wanted to do.

“I just didn’t feel good. I didn’t feel good before the fight. Honestly, I had already told myself that if I feel like this in the ring and if it’s not going well, I’m going to make sure that I box and get the victory.”

De Los Santos said, “We all know what happened. He came for a track meet. He didn’t come to fight. I showed that I am on a higher level because he never stood and fought like he does with other fighters.

“I did my job. He came to survive. That’s what he did. They gifted him the title, but I’m the people’s champion.”

Navarrete and Conceicao Fight to Draw

Emanuel Navarrete and Robson Conceicao fought to a 12-round majority draw in a bout for Navarrete’s WBO Junior Lightweight title.

In round two, Navarrete had a small cut on the bridge of the nose. In round four, Navarrete dropped Conceicao with a left uppercut. In round six, Cinceicao was cut on the bridge of his nose.

In round nose, Navarrete landed a perfect right to the body that put Conceicao down.

Navarrete landed 116 of 47 punches. Conceicao was 213 of 852.

Navarrete, 130 lbs of San Juan, MEX won by a 114-112 score, while two cards were even at 113-113.

Navarrete is 38-1-1. Conceicao, 129.3 lbs of Bahia, BRA is 17-2-1.

Navarrete said, “The decision is well-deserved. Robson is a great fighter. He left his heart in the ring. There were some details with regard to technique, but we accomplished what we said we would do. We gave a great show for the fans. And, at least, I am very happy to come away with the title.
 
“He deserves the rematch, but that decision doesn’t depend 100 percent on me. But, if it does happen, I would train even better. He knows how I fight, and I know how he fights, so it would make for an excellent fight.”
 
Conceição said, “It was a hard fight. He is very strong. It was a difficult. But I know what I did tonight.
 
“It was a good fight. It deserves a rematch. If we do get the rematch, we will both train harder and will give an even better fight.”

Brian Norman Jr. remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Quinton Randall in a battle of undefeated welterweights.

In round four, Norman was cut over his right eye.

Norman landed 74 of 281 punches. Randall was 71 of 299.

Norman, 146.4 lbs of Atlanta, GA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93 and is now 25-0. Randall, 145.3 lbs of Houston is 13-1-1.

Floyd Diaz remained undefeated with an eight-round split decision over Max Ornelas in a bantamweight bout.

In round two, Diaz dropped Ornelas with a leaping and wide left hook. In round three, it was a jab that put Ornelas on the canvas.

In round five, Diaz began to swell over his right eye.

Diaz, 117.7 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 78-72, 77-73 and Ornelas took a card by a 76-74. score.

Diaz is now 10-0. Ornelas, 117.9 lbs of Las Vegas is 15-2-1.

Troy Isley won an eight-round unanimous decision over upset-specialist Vladimir Hernandez in a middleweight bout.

Isley, 159.7 lbs of Alexandria, VA won by scores of 77-75 on all cards and is now 11-0. Hernandez, 156.8 lbs of Ciudad, MEX is 14-6.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Brandon Mendoza in round two of their six-round lightweight bout.

Vargas, 135.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Mendoza, 134.9 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-3.

In round one, Vargas dropped Mendoza with a left hook that was followed by a right Hand. A second knockdown was ruled after the round when a right hand made the right glove of Mendoza touch the canvas. In round two, Vargas landed a double right over the top that put Mendoza down and the fight was stopped at 57 seconds.

In a battle of undefeated heavyweights, Jackson Murray won a six-round unanimous decision over Steven Torres.

In round three, Murray dropped Torres with a right hook to the side of the head.

Murray, 230.7 lbs of Sydney, AUS won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 6-0. Torres, 240.7 lbs of Reading, PA is 6-1-1.

Abdullah Mason stopped Jose Cardenas in round two of their six-round lightweight fight.

In round one, Mason dropped Cardenas with a double left. In round two, Mason dumped Cardenas with a perfect one-two and the fight was stopped at 1:55.

Mason, 134.4 lbs of Cleveland is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Cardenas, 134.6 lbs of Laredo, TX is 7-2.

Hugo Micallef stopped Sergio Odabai after round four of their six-round junior welterweight bout.

Micallef, 142.7 lbs of Monte Carlo, MON is 9-0 with two knockouts. Odabai, 141.7 lbs of Vienna, AUS 6-2-1.

Giovanni Sarchioto remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage over Lucas de Abreu in a six-round super middleweight fight.

Sarchioto dropped de Abreu twice in round three. The first coming from a series of right hands. Sarchioto finisehed off de Abreu with a hard right that put his backside and the fight was stopped at 2:06.

Sarchioto, 167 lbs of Atazio, ITA is now 9-0 with eight knockouts. de Abreu, 166.3 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA 14-5.




November 16: Unbeaten Lightweight Phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas Added to Shakur Stevenson-Edwin De Los Santos Undercard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 4, 2023) — Undefeated prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas is set to return in a six-round special attraction on Thursday, Nov. 16, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 19-year-old Vargas, the son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, will make his sixth appearance of the year in a lightweight fight against fellow unbeaten Cristian Olivares. Vargas-Olivares and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.

The ESPN-televised doubleheader (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT) is headlined by the vacant WBC lightweight world title showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos and the WBO junior lightweight world title battle between Emanuel Navarrete and Robson Conceição.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Sampson Boxing, tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 6 at 12 p.m. PT via AXS.com.

Vargas (7-0, 6 KOs) made his pro debut last May and has racked up six victories after signing with Top Rank later that year. After decisioning Francisco Duque in February, “El General” secured three consecutive second-round stoppage wins, including a body shot knockout against Rafael Jasso in May at MGM Grand Garden Arena. In his last fight, he obliterated Alejandro Guardado via third-round TKO. Olivares (10-0, 5 KOs) heads into his stiffest challenge following a unanimous decision victory against Franco Facundo Huanque in January.

Vargas said, “Las Vegas is my hometown, and I can’t wait to fight on such a loaded card. This is going to be a huge sports week in Las Vegas, and I am honored to be part of it. I want to be Prospect of the Year, and I’m going to make a statement on November 16.”




EARLY RESULTS FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

Xander Zayas stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in round five of their 10-round junior middleweight bout.

Halfway through round one, Zayas dropped Valenzuela with a left hook. Later in the round, the two got tangled, but Zayas landed a right hand that put Valenzuela down for a second time. Zayas continued to beat up and batter Valenzuela until the bout was stopped at 42 seconds.

Zayas, 153.7 lbs of San Juan, PR is 17-0 with 11 knockouts. Valenzuela, 153.4 lbs of Agua Prieto, MEX 21-5.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Alejandro Guardado in round three of a six-round lightweight bout.

Vargas hurt and landed a hard flurry and was very impressive until the bout was stopped at 1:37.

Vargas, 135.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 7-0 with six knockouts. Guardado, 136.3 lbs of Sevilla, SPA is 5-1.

Julio Luna won an eight-round unanimous decision over Omar Aguilar in a welterweight contest.

Luna, 146.6 lbs of Gomez Palcios, MEX won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 21-1-2. Aguilar, 146.6 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 25-2.

John Rincon remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera in a welterweight fight.

Rincon, 143.4 lbs of Corpus Christi, TEX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 and is now 8-0. Rivera, 143.9 lbs of Caguas, PR is 4-2-1.

Jermaine Ortiz won a 10-round unanimous decision over Antonio Moran in a junior welterweight bout.

In round six, Moran began to bleed from the nose. In round eight, Ortiz was cut under the right eye.

Ortiz, 137.8 lbs of Worcester, MA won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 17-1-1. Moran, 137.5 lbs of Mexico Cuty is 29-6-1.

Former world title challenger Ruben Villa IV won an eight-round unanimous decision over Brandon Valdes in a featherweight bout.

Villa, 126.7 lbs of Salinas, CA won by scores of 78-74 on all cards and is now 21-1. Valdes, 126.9 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 15-4.

Tiger Johnson remained undefeated with a eight-round majority decision over Ricardo Quiroz in a junior welterweight fight.

Johnson, 141,7 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 79-73 twice and 76076 and is now 10-0. Quiroz, 141.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 13-3.




September 15: Emiliano Fernando Vargas to Open Luis Alberto Lopez-Joet Gonzalez Telecast LIVE on ESPN at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Aug. 14, 2023) – Like father, like son.
 
Emiliano Fernando Vargas will make his ESPN-televised debut on Friday, Sept. 15 at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, more than 18 years after his father headlined at the venue.
 
Vargas, who scored a second-round stoppage victory against Jorge Luis Marquez Alvarado last Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena, will return in a six-round clash against an opponent to be named. Vargas’ return will open the televised tripleheader headlined by the IBF featherweight world title showdown between reigning champion Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez and two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez.
 
In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas takes on Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
 
Lopez-Gonzalez, Zayas-Valenzuela and Vargas’ return will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Vargas (6-0, 5 KOs) turned pro last May and has tallied five victories since signing with Top Rank later that year. Before the Alvarado knockout, “El General” shined on the Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko bill in his Las Vegas hometown, stopping Rafael Jasso in two rounds. All five of his stoppage victories have come in either the first or second round, and now Vargas, who recently turned 19, will step up to the six-round distance for the first time. His father, Fernando Vargas, defeated Raymond Joval by unanimous decision in front of a capacity crowd at American Bank Center in 2005.
 
“I’d like to thank Top Rank and my team for the opportunity to make my ESPN-televised debut on a great card in Corpus Christi,” Vargas said. “I am proud to be a Vargas, and I look forward to following in the footsteps of my father, who was victorious at the American Bank Center nearly 20 years ago.”




Robeisy Ramirez Decisions Dogboe To win Featherweight Title

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez can add the WBO Featherweight world title to hos trophy case as he won the title with a 12-rounds unanimous decision over former champion Isaac Dogboe at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ramirez landed 160 of 495 punches; Dogboe was 113 of 619.

Ramirez, 125.6 lbs of Cuba won by scores of 117-110, 118-109, 119-108 and is now 12-1. Dogboe, 124.2 lbs of Ghana is 24-3.

Ramirez said, “I’m living a new stage in my life. This is a new history that I’m writing, and I did everything I had to do. As an Olympian, I won two Olympic gold medals, and now I can call myself a champion.”

“All the respect to a warrior like Isaac Dogboe. He has my admiration, and all it took was me listening to this genius, Ismael Salas, because I did that, and he led me to victory.

“I believe things happened for a reason. If it wasn’t for that loss in my pro debut, I would have never ended up with Ismael Salas. Yordenis Ugas never would’ve told me, ‘You have to move to Vegas, you have to change your life,’ and I never would have gotten this team together to be where I am today.”

Dogboe said, “Let’s run it back. That’s all I have to say. He’s a great fighter.”

In round 12, Ramirez scored a knockdown when he landed a left hand while Dogboe was coming in and Dogboe hit the canvas.

Former world title challenger Joet Gonzalez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Enrique Vivas in a featherweight bout.

Gonzalez landed 271 of 646 punches; Vivas was 207 of 930.

Gonzalez, 126.2 lbs of Glendora, CA won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 26-3. Vivas, 126.2 ls of Texcoco, MEX is 22-3.

Jahi Tucker remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Nikloz Sekhnishvili in a junior middleweight bout.

In round four, Tucker was deducted a point for hitting on the break.

In round six, Sekhniashvili was cut on his face.

Tucker, 151.8 lbs of Deer Park, NY won by scores of 77-74 on all cards and is now 10-0. Sekhnishvili, 150.2 lbs of Gori, Georgia Republic is 8-2.

Jeremiah Milton remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Fabio Maldonado in a heavyweight bout.

In round four, Milton was cut over his right eye from a headbutt.

Milton, 255.8 lbs of Tulsa, OK won by scores of 80-70 twice and 78-72 and is now 9-0, Maldonado 215.8 lbs of Sai Paulo, BRA is 29-7.

Tiger Johnson remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Alfonso Olvera in a junior welterweight bout.

Johnson, 142.8 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 8-0. Olvera, 142.8 lbs of Tucson, AZ is 12-8-2.

Dante Benjamin Jr. remained undefeated with second round stoppage of Jasper McCargo III in a scheduled six-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Benjamin dropped McCargo with a hard right uppercut to the jaw. Early in round two, Benjamin sent McCargo to the canvas with a left hook. Benjamin dropped McCargo for a third time as he landed a body shot while being held. Benjamin ended things by sending McCargo down again from a right to the top of the head at 2:58.

Benjamin, 175 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 6-0 with four knockouts. McCargo, 174.4 lbs of Richmond, CA is 4-4-2.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Edgar Livalle in round two of their four-round lightweight fight.

In round two, Vargas landed a right to the body that put Livalle down and the fight was over at 1:21

Vargas, 133 lbs of Las Vegas is 4-0 with three knockouts. Livalle, 132.2 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 2-4-2.

Good looking 18 year-old prospect Abdullah Mason stopped Erick Garcia Benitez in the opening round of their six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Mason dropped Benitez with a counter right hand and the fight was over at 1:32.

Mason, 135.2 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 7-0 with six knockouts. Benitez, 135.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 4-2.

Rohan Polanco remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Quiroz in a junior welterweight fight.

Polanco, 142.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Quiroz, 142.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 12-2.




Janibek Alimkhanuly Defends Middleweight Title over Denzel Bentley

Janibek Alimkhanuly defended the WBO Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Denzel Bentley at The Palms Hotel Casino on Las Vegas.

Alimkhanuly landed 189 of 535 punches. Bentley was 157 of 615.

Alimkhanuly, 159.6 lbs of Zhilandy. KAZ won by scores of 118-110 and 116-112 twice and is now 13-0. Bentley, 159 lbs of London is 15-2-1.

Seniesa Estrada defended the WBA Minimumweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jazmin Gala Villarino.

Estrada, 103.3 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 23-0. Villarino, 105 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 6-2-2.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Julio Cesar Martinez in round two of their four-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Vargas dropped Martinez with a short but powerful left hook to the chin the folded Martinez under the bottom rope and the fight was stopped at 47 seconds.

Vargas, 133.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 2-0 with two knockouts. Martinez, 134 lbs of South Bend, IN is 1-1.

Javier Martinez remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Delgado in a super middleweight bout.

Martnez, 162.6 lbs of Milwaukee, WI won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 8-0. Delgado, 162.6 lbs of Turlock, CA is 7-5.

Floyd Diaz remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Edgar Joe Cortes in a six-round junior featherweight bout,

In round four, Diaz landed a left to the top of the head that was followed by a right hook to the jaw that sent Cortes down. Cortes got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:14.

Diaz, 121.4 lbs of Las Vegas is 8-0 with three knockouts. Cortes, 122.2 lbs of Vineland, NJ is 9-7-1.

Charlie Sheehy obliterated Markus Bowes in the opening round of their four-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Sheehy rocked Bowes several times with hard right hands and then dropped him with the same punch. Sheehy ended things with a vicious combination that forced a referee stoppage at 1:37.

Sheehy, 135 lbs of Brisbane, CA is 5-0 with four knockouts. Bowes, 135.6 lbs of Rosboro, NC is 2-1.

Karlos Balderas stopped Esteban Sanchez in the eighth and final round of their lightweight bout.

In round one, Balderas landed a left hook that set off a flurry of punches that put Sanchez on the canvas.

In round four, Sanchez began to bleed from his nose.

In round eight, Sanchez was still taking shots and the fight was stopped at 1:02.

Balderas, 135.4 lbs of Santa Maria, CA is 14-1 with 12 knockouts. Sanchez, 135.2 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 18-3.

Antonio Mireles remained perfect with a first round stoppage of Eric Perry in a six-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Mireles landed a heavy combination that put Perry down face first and he was not able to beat the 10-count at 2:26.

Mireles, 269.6 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 6-0 with six knockouts. Perry, 279.8 lbs of Toccoa, GA is 5-7-1.