NEW YORK– He turned pro at the age of 17. At 22, Puerto Rico’s chosen one became a champion.

Xander Zayas dominated Mexico’s Jorge Garcia by unanimous decision (116-112, 118-110, and 119-109) to win the WBO junior middleweight world title Saturday evening at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. 

Garcia (33-5, 26 KOs), fueled by his upset win over Charles Conwell in April, launched toward Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) with wildly thrown punches. Zayas evaded most shots, soon adjusting to a game plan of quick jabs to the body and occasional right hands.

Still, Garcia managed to drag Zayas into a fight, especially in the sixth as both went toe-to-toe with hooks in the center of the ring. But by the seventh and eighth, Zayas’ counterpunching began to wear down Garcia as he easily outboxed him in the championship rounds.

Zayas said, “Boxing 101. I had to box my way to victory. I knew that if I stood in front of him that I’d be fighting his fight. So, I did everything behind the jab. The jab was the key to victory, and we showed that today.

“This is a dream come true. This is beautiful. To see my Puerto Rican fans here, this is amazing. I could never dream of anything better than this.”

Carrington Decisions Heita To win Interim Featherweight Title

Bruce Carrington won the WBC Interim Featherweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Mateus Heita.

Carrington was quick with counters and landed several hard combinations that seemed to slightly rock Heita on several occasions.

Carrington, 125 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 119-108 twice and 120-108 and is now 16-0. Heita, 124.8 lbs of Namibia is 14-1.

CARRINGTON

“I wanted to show that I can go the full 12 rounds. I showed that championship level through those 12 rounds. I feel good. I feel in shape. I feel sharp and ready for that next level.”

I’m ready. I’ve been calling out all the champions. They already know. I see {Rafael} Espinoza in the crowd. I want to fight him. I want to fight Nick Ball. I want to fight Stephen Fulton.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas Obliterates Espinoza in 1

Emiliano Fernando Vargas needed just one counter right hand to take out Alexander Espinoza in the opening round of their eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Vargas put a right hand on the chin of Espinoza and he folded down to the canvas. Espinoza tried to get up, but fell face first and the bout was over at 42 secpnds.

Vargas, 139.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 15-0 with 13 knockouts. Espinoza, 139.4 lbs of Ecuador is 20-4-1.

EMILIANO FERNANDO VARGAS

“I’m just a Mexican kid trying to make it to the top. 26 years ago, my father fought here, and history repeats itself. If I could be half as great as my father was, I’ll make it a long way.”

“Top 15 in the world, 15-0… I’m coming for all the belts!”

“Alexander Espinoza is the most experienced fighter I’ve ever fought. I was ready for 15 rounds tonight. It’s a blessing that I got to do it so quick. They don’t pay me for overtime, though. I had to get it done fast. Like I said, I’m ready for top, elite competition. My skills are going to show through.”

Zayas Decisions Garcia To Win WBO Junior Middleweight Title

Rohan Polanco remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Quinton Randall in a welterweight fight.

Polanco, 146.6 lbs of Samto Domingo, DR won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93 and is now17-0. Randall, 146.8 lbs of Houston is 15-3-1.

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus stopped Jorge Gonzalez in round two of their four-round junior bantamweight bout.

In round one, De Jesus dropped Sanchez with a perfect counter left. De Jesus dropped Sanchez again after he landed about five consecutive left hands that was finished off by a two hand flurry. In round two, De Jesus dropped Sanchez with a perfect counter left and the fight was stopped at 1:14.

De Jesus, 113.8 lbs of Caguas, PR is 3-0 with two knockouts. Sanchez, 114.8 lbs of Las Mairis, PR is 5-3.

Yan Santana remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Aaron Almeida in a featherweight bout.

Santana, 124.8 lbs of La Romana, DR won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 15-0. Almeida, 125.4 lbs of Nogales, MEX is 30-3.

Steven Navarro pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision over Christopher Rios in a junior bantamweight bout.

The fight was a slugfest with both fighters landing combinations.

n round two, Navarro began to bleed around his left ear, but he landed more and was more accurate and won by scores of 77-75 on all cards and id now 7-0. Rios, 114.4 lbs of Compton, CA is 11-3.

Julius Ballo made a sucsessful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Brandon Ayala in a lightweight bout.

Ballo, 132.6 lbs of San Diego won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 1-0. Ayala, 130.2 lbs of Harrisburg, NC is 2-1.

NEW YORK (June 12, 2025) — Fast-rising Dominican welterweight Rohan Polanco returns to action in a 10-rounder against crafty veteran Quinton Randall on Saturday, July 26, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Polanco will be joined on the undercard by his countryman, featherweight knockout artist Yan Santana, who will make his NYC debut in a 10-rounder versus Mexican former world title challenger Aaron Alameda.

Polanco-Randall and Santana-Alameda will be part of the ESPN+-streamed undercard before the ESPN-televised tripleheader (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) headlined by the vacant WBO junior middleweight world title fight between Xander Zayas and Jorge Garcia.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, tickets are ON SALE NOW via Ticketmaster.com. 

Polanco (16-0, 10 KOs) is currently ranked No. 7 by the WBO, a ranking he earned on the strength of May’s shutout decision over Fabian Maidana in Las Vegas. He represented his homeland at the Tokyo Olympics and is now poised to carry his nation’s flag in the paid ranks. Polanco trains with Hector Bermudez in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was 8-0 before signing with Top Rank in 2023. He went 3-0 in 2024 before kicking off his 2025 campaign in February with a second-round knockout of Puerto Rico’s Jean Carlos Torres. Randall (15-2-1, 3 KOs), from Houston, Texas, is 2-1 since a 2023 decision loss to Brian Norman Jr. on a Top Rank on ESPN bill.

Santana (14-0, 12 KOs), who is co-promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions, spent much of his early career fighting in Cotto’s homeland of Puerto Rico. The 25-year-old appeared on his first Top Rank card last June, grinding down Brandon Valdes en route to a unanimous decision. He last fought in April in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, winning all 10 rounds against Mexico’s Edwin Palomares. Alameda (30-2, 17 KOs) dropped a unanimous decision to Luis Nery in 2020 for the WBC junior featherweight world title. He has won five straight, four by stoppage, since a 2021 decision loss to Angelo Leo.

In other ESPN+ streamed undercard action:

• Unbeaten heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov (15-0, 14 KOs), a two-time Olympic heavyweight for Uzbekistan, will make his first stateside appearance in nearly two years when he battles Italy’s Gianmarco Cardillo (12-1-2, 2 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder. Jalolov dominated the super heavyweight bracket at the 2024 Paris Olympics and came back to the pro ranks in April with a decision over Ihor Shevadzutskyi.
   
• Emerging junior bantamweight Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro (6-0, 5 KOs), from Inglewood, California, will fight in his second scheduled eight-rounder against Cristopher Rios (11-2, 7 KOs). Navarro has been on the fast track to contention since turning pro last April with a sixth-round stoppage over Jose Lopez.

LAS VEGAS (March 11, 2025) — Featherweight phenom Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez and emerging junior bantamweight Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro will be featured in separate eight-round undercard bouts on Saturday, April 5, at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Gonzalez faces the durable Dana Coolwell, while Navarro steps up against Mexican veteran Juan Esteban Garcia.

Gonzalez-Coolwell and Navarro-Garcia join a loaded card headlined by the 10-round heavyweight showdown between Richard Torrez Jr. and Guido Vianello, the Lindolfo Delgado-Elvis Rodriguez junior welterweight battle, and unbeaten lightweight phenom Abdullah Mason against Giovanni Cabrera.

Promoted by Top Rank, the entire card will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.com.

Gonzalez (12-0, 7 KOs) is the latest mega-talent from the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. He scored five victories last year, beginning his campaign in April with a first-round stoppage of Joel Alberto Mora. Gonzalez then had three fights in three months, securing dominant TKO victories in each of those bouts. Last December, Gonzalez tallied a shutout eight-round decision over Gerardo Antonio Perez in Phoenix. Coolwell (13-3, 8 KOs) is a six-year pro coming off a decision defeat to Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington last November on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson card.

Navarro (5-0, 4 KOs) has been a professional for less than a year but will soon approach contender status at 115 pounds. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials finalist is riding a three-fight knockout streak, including last December’s second-round stoppage of Gabriel Bernardi. A southpaw boxer-puncher, the Garcia fight marks Navarro’s first scheduled eight-rounder. Garcia (14-1-2, 11 KOs) has won three consecutive fights and will make his American debut.

In other undercard action:

• Rising middleweight Jahi Tucker (13-1-1, 6 KOs) looks for his fourth consecutive victory when he takes on former British junior middleweight champion Troy Williamson (20-3-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Williamson aims to halt a two-fight losing skid, while Tucker knocked out Quilisto Madera in eight rounds last November.
   
• Robert Garcia-trained welterweight prospect Art Barrera Jr. (7-0, 5 KOs) makes his 2025 debut in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.
   
• Las Vegas native DJ Zamora (15-0, 10 KOs) returns home to face Hugo Castañeda (15-1-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round junior lightweight fight. Zamora is coming off a blistering second-round stoppage of Roman Ruben Reynoso last December. 
   
• Los Angeles native and former U.S. amateur standout Sammy Contreras Jr. makes his professional debut in a four-round junior welterweight bout against an opponent to be named. Contreras advanced to the finals of the 2022 USA National Championships.

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About Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. Palms Casino Resort features two distinct towers with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues, and immersive lifestyle experiences across a 95,000-square-foot reimagined casino. Offering free valet and self-parking, the resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool, The Spa & Salon at Palms; a wedding chapel; the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.

Palms is located just west of the center of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road. Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit http://www.palms.com/ or the Palms Press Room. Follow Palms on social media  Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram.

Phoenix, AZ – A tip of the black hat to Emanuel Navarrete, still El Vaquero.

Still the The Victor.

Navarrete’s power proved to be too much for Oscar Valdez about a year-and-a-half ago and again Saturday night in a junior-lightweight rematch in front of a roaring crowd at Footprint Center.

Valdez made some promised adjustments. But there was no way to adjust to his power. He just doesn’t have as much of it as Navarrete. He didn’t in August 2023 at Desert Diamond Arena in nearby Glendale. He didn’t  Saturday night in downtown Phoenix. 

Pick the time. Pick the place. It wouldn’t matter. Navarrete settled it, once and for all, proving that he’s simply a better fighter than Valdez.

“I tried,’’ Valdez said.

But  trying in the rematch didn’t carry him for as long as it did in a punishing loss in the first fight. The rematch was a repeat and then some. Navarrete finished the popular fighter from Mexico’s northern Sonora and south Arizona, dropping him three times — once in the first round, again late in the fourth and the finisher in the sixth.

Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) ended it with a thundering body shot, a left hand that sent Valdez into the ropes and onto the canvas. At 2:42 of the sixth, the fight was over, although Valdez told the crowd he would continue to fight on. The only sure thing is that Navarrete won’t be anywhere in his future, how ever much longer his career lasts.

“I had to work hard in each round.’’ said Navarrete, still the World Boxing Organizations 130-pound champion. “I had to push him back. He comes forward. I had to push him back. And that was the right strategy to take down a Valdez, who is always strong.”

“I told everyone before that I would have a new left hand. And that’s what has happened. It felt really good. We are not starting a second stage of my career. And I plan to take advantage of it.”

Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs) promised adjustments might have cost him in

the opening moments. In the the first round, Valdez moved forward, throwing two or three punches , then ducked and backed away from Navarrete’s attempts at a counter. Late in the first round, Valdez ducked enough to jeopardize his balance. Navarrete capitalized, landing a combination that put, almost pushed, Valdez on to the canvas for an  early knockdown.

Valdez came back over the next couple rounds. He caught Navarrete with succession of solid rights.  All the while, it looked as if Valdez was trying to disrupt Navarrete, an instinctive fighter who is at his dangerous best when he’s gets into a rhythm. It’s a rhythm that rolled over Valdez throughout 12 rounds in the first fight 16 months ago.

Valdez’ adjustments worked, but never long enough to keep Navarrete off him. Interrupt Navarrete’s rhythm, but there was no way to halt his power. It was his advantage in the first fight and again in the second. No need for a third. 

At the end of the fourth rounds, Valdez found himself on the canvas again. He protested to the referee. But to avail. The referee wasn’t listening. He saw what a crowd of more than 8,000 was witnessing. Valdez simply had no chance against Navarrete. Never has.

“Sorry to those who came to see me,’’ Valdez said.  “I wish it was a better result. Maybe next time. No excuses from me. He beat me well.’’

Beat him again.

Espinoza retains his WBO belt

In the 1st of 2 championship rematches of the night we have the co main event of the Navarrete Valdez card, inside the footprint center. Mexican fighter Rafael “Divino” Espinoza defending his WBO Featherweight tittle for the 2nd time in the highly anticipated rematch with Cuban Robeisy Ramirez. In their first fight a year ago, Espinoza edged out the win by a majority decision. Each fight did taste the canvas Espinoza in the 5th, Ramirez touched in the 12th.

Leading up to the fight the fight at hand with many calling it as the potential fight of the night. While both of them have been very respectful and cordial throughout this build up. At the press conference each said that they want to give the fans and themselves a great show.

Rafael “Divino” Espinoza 25-0(21KOs) from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico weighed in at 125.7lbs while Robeisy Ramirez 14-2(9KOs) Cienfuegos, Cuba came in at 125.6

In the opening rounds as expected with two technical fighter both use this round to check each other temperature, in which both were low. Not much action went on except for a couple of punch flurries.

Espinoza started to attack the body of Ramirez, later it opened up a clean uppercut. Ramirez came back with solid left hook that woke up the crowd while getting the attention of Espinoza. As the round went on Ramirez found a home on the right side of Espinoza’s face.

For the first time of the night the boo bird started to chirp however they were quickly turned to cheers as if the fighter heard them. So far this has been an evenly contested fight with both going back and forth. Espinoza is having a little trouble cutting off the ring, as Ramirez is circling the ring. Thus far in the five rounds the action is steady picking up each round

The start of the 6th had a huge turn of events as Ramirez was hit with a straight right hand to his eye that led to him waving his hand up in the air indicating he wanted no mas and that’s how referee Chris Flores took it. Stopping the fight 12 seconds into the round. Earning a TKO victory Espinoza improves to 26-0(22KOs).

In the post fight interview Ramirez indicated that he was hit with a few elbows in the 4th round, and it led to him making sure his health was top priority wanted to protect himself since the referee was not. When interviewed Espinoza stated that Ramirez was feeling his power and knew was coming if he stayed in the fight longer. As for the future he wants the big fights and become a legend in the sport. He also mentioned that he wants to make Phoenix his home. Could we see a potential show down with the winner of the main event?…..possibly in Phoenix?…

Lindolfo Delgado scores convincing stoppage

Lindolfo Delgado has heard boos. Heard questions. But he had only answers Saturday night on the Emanuel Navarette-Oscar Valdez 2 card at the Suns arena in downtown Phoenix.

Delgado (22-0, 16 KOs), a Mexican junior welterweight, dropped Jackson Marinez (22-4, 10 KOs) twice in the fifth round. First, he landed an uppercut combo, putting Marinez, of the Dominican Republic, on the canvas in evident pain. Seconds later, he finished him with a body shot. At 2:14 of the round, referee Wes Melton ended it, declaring Delgado a TKO winner.

Richard Torrez storms back into the KO column

Richard Torrez looked at his record back in September and didn’t exactly recognize it.

It was one knockout shy of perfection in a fight that ended when his opponent was disqualified for spitting out his mouthpiece repeatedly.

“I got in a cab and the driver asked me what I did for a living,” Torrez said. “I told him I’m a heavyweight boxer. So, the driver asked what my record was. That stopped. me. I couldn’t tell him 11 victories, 11 knockouts.”

Torrez will never have that perfect record again. But he put the stoppage back into his identity Saturday, blowing away Mexican Isaac Munoz Saturday on the Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez rematch card at the Suns home area in downtown Phoenix.

Torrez (12-0, 11 KOs) rocked Munoz (18-2-1, 15 KOs) repeatedly through the first two rounds. In the third, he caught him along the ropes, where Munoz slumped into a defenseless posture. The referee ended it, then and there, at 59 seconds of the round

Perez chopped down

The start of the 2nd half of tonight’s fights Gerardo Perez 12-6-1(3KOs) from Salta, Argentina took on Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez 11-0(7KOs) fighting out of Moreno Valley, Ca. In just his 2nd 8 round fight “Chop Chop” is making his return to the valley of the sun. In his Arizona debut he was featured on his stablemates card when Super Flyweight champion Bam Rodriguez fought Sunny Edwards for the IBF and WBO Flyweight belts last December.

Not the way of the night as the first round was pretty much a fill out, as both fighters did not do much engaging. Gonzalez did land 2 clean shots to Perez’s head. Things got interesting as both fighters met in the middle of the ring to start off the 2nd round. The action maintained for much of the round. While each had their moments, again Gonzalez made more of the opportunity and landed the harder punches and knocking Perez’s head back a couple of times.

In the 3rd chop chop found his rhythm stunning Perez with a right hook. In a old fashion brawl this fan favorite round got the fans out of their seats. As this was the round of the night up to this point. Even with the Mexican legend entering the arena could not take away from the action going on in the ring.

Rounds 4 and 5 were catch your breathe type rounds with the actions taking a little break. Gonzalez did start to pick up his punching towards the end of the 5th connecting plenty of times to Perez’s head, however that did not stop him from keep coming forward and pressing the action.

Sensing he has his opponent on the verge “chop Chop” came out of the 7th looking to end it. Walking him down to the corner with a borage of punches. Yet again Perez took those punches stopping the momentum.

 As the fight comes to the end entering the 8th and final round both fighters deserve to be applauded as they left it all in the ring. With Gonzalez maintaining the out put and land the more efficient punches he closed out the fight with some head snapping punches.

The fight ended with no one hitting the canvass but that is not to say it was not a great fight. On the flip side it was the fight of the night as both warriors stood in front of each other and took what the other had. Going to the judges Gonzalez earned the Unanimous decision with 2 of the judges having it a shootout 80-72 and the 3rd scoring it 79-73.—David Galaviz

Steven Navarro put super into flyweight with second-round TKO

It started with a glancing body punch. It continued with a solid body shot. It ended with a left hook. 

From body to head,  Los Angeles super-flyweight Steven Navarro (5-0, 4 KOs)did it all, knocking down Puerto Rican Gabriel Bernadi (7-2, 3 KOs) three times in the second for a dominant stoppage at 2:29 of the round Saturday in the fifth fight on a card featuring the Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez rematch at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.

Santillan races to first-round TKO

Giovani Santillan, a slick welterweight from San Diego, is often criticized for not having enough aggression in what is otherwise a versatile skillset.

Let’s just say it was missing in action.

But it was suddenly there, appearing like a bolt of lightning in overwhelming Ghana welterweight Frederick Lawson within three rounds on an ESPN card featuring the Oscar Valdez-Emanuel Navarrete rematch at Footprint Center, the Phoenix Suns home arena.

At the sound of the opening bell, Santiillan (33-1, 18 KOs) — trainer Robert Garcia in the corner for his third straight fight of the day —  raced at a surprised Lawson (30-5, 22 KOs), who had no counter or defense.  As the bell sounded an end to the opening round, referee Chris Flores waved it off, Santillan a first-round TKO winner 

Referee hits the canvas, Art Barrera wins TKO

The fighters were left standing. Only the referee went down.

In a quick finish to a welterweight fight, referee Wes Melton rushed to step in between Art Barrera Jr. and Juan Carlos Campos Medina. Melton was trying to save Medina from further punishment.

He did, but Melton took a tumble in the fight’s only knockdown Saturday afternoon, several hours before the Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez main event at Footroitn Center.

Unhurt, Melton coolly got up and ruled a timely end to the fight at 2:58 of the second round, declaring the Robert Garcia-trained Barrera (7-0, 4 KOs) a TKO winner over Medina (4-2, 3 KOs) of Sioux City, Iowa.

Prospect loses pro debut

He walked into the rung as a prospect. He walked out of it winless.

Cesar Morales’ pro debut ended in a loss and perhaps an early lesson in the second fight on a card featuring the Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez rematch Saturday.

Morales, a Mexican lightweight signed by Valdez manager Frank Espinoza and trained by Robert Garcia, got rocked in the fourth and final round at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.

 A  succession of punches from Kevin Mosquera (3-0, 1 KO), a long and lanky fighter from Ecuador, rocked Morales. In a desperate effort to maintain his balance, his gloves touched the canvas for an official knockdown

That was enough to put him on the losing end of a majority decision — 39-36, 38-37, 38-38 — in what proved to be an early surprise on Top Rank’s 10-fight card. 

In the opening bell inside the Footprint Center home of the Phoenix Suns, Roman Reynoso 22-5-2(10KOs) fighting out of Moreno, Argentina faced DJ “The War Machine” Zamora 14-0(9KOS) a Top Rank prospect coming all the way from Las Vegas, NV. Both fighters made weight yesterday for their Jr Lightweight contest.

In the first round Reynoso went down twice, first by a shot to the right side of his stomach at the 1:03 mark and then on his own accord with a wild punch that connected only with the cold air in the arena.

Sensing some urgency Ramon came out in the 2nd round with a flurry of punches, pushing Zamora to the ropes. What seemed to be plan A for Reynoso did not hold up and with no plan B, Zamora had his equalizer, with 1:17 left in the round, he landed a left hook square on his opponent’s jaw. Referee Chris Chavez Stopping it shortly after. Improving to 15-0(10KOs) Zamora still has some room for improvement but the reward out weighs the risk in his young career.—David Galaviz

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 7, 2024) — Nearly seven months after falling short in his first attempt at an interim world title, welterweight contender Giovani “El Gallo de Oro” Santillan is set to reignite his charge towards the top of the division.

Santillan will square off against Ghana’s Frederick Lawson in a 10-round showdown on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Santillan-Lawson joins a stacked undercard streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+.

The ESPN-televised doubleheader (10:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. PT) will feature a pair of world title rematches. In the main event, Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete defends his WBO junior lightweight world title against Oscar Valdez in an all-Mexican duel.

In the co-feature, WBO featherweight world champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza defends his strap against Cuban star Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.  

Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs) steadily climbed the welterweight rankings during his 12-year career. He had a standout 2023, defeating longtime contender Erick Bone in July before shocking the boxing world with a six-round demolition of Alexis Rocha in October. His performance solidified his place among the welterweight elite, earning him a crack at the WBO interim title against Brian Norman Jr. in May. Santillan was knocked out in the 10th round, and Norman was later elevated to full champion. Lawson (30-5, 22 KOs) fell to Vergil Ortiz Jr. in January and Rocha in March after beating Estevan Villalobos last April.

A trio of undefeated Mexican-American talents has also been added to the ESPN+ undercard that also includes heavyweight standout Richard Torrez Jr. (11-0, 10 KOs) and junior welterweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas (12-0, 10 KO) in eight-rounders:

Featherweight powerhouse Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (11-0, 7 KOs) will take on Argentina’s Gerardo Antonio Perez (12-6-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round showdown. Gonzalez, the latest hard-hitting standout from the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, signed a long-term promotional deal with Top Rank in August. He is 4-0 with four knockouts in 2024 and returns following a third-round stoppage over Edgar de la Cruz Gonzalez in September.
 
Fast-rising junior bantamweight dynamo Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro (4-0, 3 KOs) makes his fifth appearance of 2024 in a six-rounder versus Puerto Rico’s Gabriel Bernardi (7-1, 3 KOs). A decorated amateur standout, Navarro made his pro debut in April and signed with Top Rank later that month. He made his Top Rank debut with a six-round unanimous decision against Juan Pablo Meza in June before notching TKO wins over Israel Camacho in August and Oscar Arroyo in September. 

Welterweight prospect Art Barrera Jr. (6-0, 4 KOs) will see action in a six-round tilt against an opponent to be named. Barrera seeks to earn his fifth triumph of the year after decisioning Javier Mayoral in July.

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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 Instagram, Facebook and X.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Knockout is the first word in the second chapter to Jamie Munguia’s career.

It sums up what he hopes to do.

It defines the promotional plans Top Rank has for him.

The KO was authored and patiently executed by Munguia in his first fight, post-Canelo, against an unknown, yet skilled Eric Bazinyan Friday in front of a roaring crowd of about 6,500 at Desert Diamond Arena.

In a super-middleweight fight full of twists and turns, ebbs and flows, a bigger and quicker Munguia finally delivered the final word with a succession of punches that left an exhausted Bazinyan on all fours, looking exhausted and beaten late in the 10th. He was finished, a loser by KO at 2:36 of the round.

“It was a great experience,’’ Munguia (44-1, 35 KOs) said in a tone that suggested he anticipates even greater ones in  a career that is just entering its prime.

It was also a victory that put him one fight beyond his last one, a scorecard loss to fellow Mexican Canelo Alvarez. There were questions about how the 27-year-old Munguia would respond to the loss to boxing’s  so-called Face of the Game.

Would he be tentative?

Would he be over-anxious?

No. 

And no.

Munguia’s evident poise was very much intact against Bazinyan (32-1-1, 23 KOs), an Armenian living in Canada. Bazinyan tested Munguia repeatedly in the middle round. 

“I felt like I was winning,’’ Bazinyan said.  “I felt he was very frustrated with my jab, right hand, and counters. He was getting tired. All of a sudden, I got caught. I don’t know what happened there.”

Munguia rocked him in the sixth, seventh and eighth. Each time, it looked as if Munguia was about to take control. But the well-conditioned Bazinyan came charging back, repeatedly rocking him with a solid right hands that he threw behind a consistently accurate jab.

A tentative Munguia would not have known how to respond. An overanxious Munguia would have rushed in and perhaps walked right into knockout blow. But Munguia carefully measured his punches and perhaps his energy, all in an effort to score a KO he had to envision in a comeback from his lone loss.

What’s next? Predictably, Munguia, a quiet fighter from Tijuana, wouldn’t be specific. He was asked about about the Top Rank-promoted Christian M’billi. He was asked by Caleb Plant, who is coming off a bruising victory over Trevor McCumby.

Then, he was asked by Edgar Berlanga, who lost a one-sided decision to Canelo at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena last Saturday.

“If I had to pick, I’d pick Berlanga,’’ he said.

Sounds like that one could produce the second word in that second chapter. 

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Torrez stays unbeaten, Dawejko’s mouthpiece gets him DQed

Richard Torrez Jr. threw most of the punches in a fight dominated by his movement and Joey Dawejko’s mouthpiece.

In the end, it was the mouthpiece that proved to be decisive.

In a heavyweight fight with no knockdowns, Dawejko’s mouthpiece hit the canvas five times. The fifth time resulted in his disqualification in the fifth round of the final fight before the main event, a super-middleweight clash between Jaime Munguia and Eric Bazinyan Friday night in front of an estimated crowd of 7,000 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale Arena.

The DQ will go down as a victory for Torrez, pushing the prospect’s unbeaten record to 11-0 with 10 knockouts.

“Joey was a vet, just like I said,” Torrez said.  “He didn’t give up. That mouthpiece came out a little too much. That’s a veteran move, but at the end of the day, congratulations to him. He put up a good fight.

“I think we were able to show more boxing ability that I was telling you about.”

Torrez was clearly on his way to victory with quick hands and agile feet. On The Boxing Hour’s card, he won the first three rounds easily. He was winning the fourth, too, when Dawejko’s mouthpiece began to dominate the round. Referee Wes Melton picked it up once, twice and then a third time. That’s when he issued his first one-point penalty. A fourth time resulted in a second one-point penalty  for Dawejko (28-12-4  16 KOs), a Philadelphia roofer when not in the ring.

In the fifth, Melton had seen enough of Dawejko’s mouthpiece and the fight. He waved off the fight at 2:02 of the round.

El General marches on to another battle won

In the opening bout of the ESPN+ telecast “El General” Emiliano Vargas 11-0(9Kos) of Las Vegas, NV faces “Lethal” Larry Fryers 13-6-1(5Kos) of Clones, Ireland. Coming in the fight Larry made a bold prediction stating he was going to knock out Vargas in the 5th round. Missing majority of the year Larry is making his 2024 debut looking to mirror 2023 were he went undefeated in his 2 matches. Fans made sure to be in their seats prior to the start of this one. As most AZ fight fans are very familiar with Vargas, this will make it his fourth time fighting in front of them at the Desert Diamond Arena. It also does not hurt that he comes to fight which make him a fan friendly fighter. In a town known for fighter such as the legend Micheal Carbajal, Jose Benavidez jr, and David Benavidez AZ loves to see in all out war. The El “General” has the perfect tactics to keep them happy and on the edge of their seats.

In the opening round emiliano came out with a combo of a left and right to the head of Fryers which caught him by surprise and stunned. Vargas did not let up from the punishment landing at will knocking back Fryers to ropes with a series of jabs. More importantly Vargas was showing off his defense with great footwork and head movement, making his opponent miss many of his punches.

Focusing on the body in round 2 Vargas landed some vicious body shots to the right of fryers ribs. As the round came to an end at the sound of the 10 second mark, Vargas lands a straight left hand wobbling fryers to the ropes with a few significant punches following. Best exchange of the fight to this point

Larry has no answer for Emiliano’s left hook to the head nor to the body. Just as you think Fryers is done he comes back with a punch of his own but no damage being done. As a repeat of the previous round Vargas came with a late rally hurting Larry to the point if there was more time the referee might had to save him.

In the mid point of the fifth round Vargas landed 2 perfect body shots to set up the furious knock out punch a over hand left hook ending the night for Lethal Larry Fryers. The stoppage come at 1:38 of the fifth round.

Emiliano stated that this is his best performance to date and will enjoy crumbl cookies for his hard work. Vargas is showing that he can knockout out his opponents but now adding that he can make them miss as well. The prediction of a 5th round KO was right just the fighter who said it was not. Emiliano “El General” Vargas improves to 12-0(10KOs).

Charly Suarez scores third-round stoppage

Speed is power and Filipino junior-lightweight Charly Suarez proved it repeatedly in overwhelming Jorge Castaneda in the final bout before the ESPN telecast Friday of the card featuring Jaimie Munguia-Erik Bazinyan Friday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale AZ.

Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) dropped Castaneda (17-4, 13 KOs), of Laredo TX, twice in the third round, finishing him at 2:23 of the third for a fringe World Boxing Organization belt.

Not in Kansas anymore

Alan “Kid Kansas” Garcia 14-0(11KOs) from Ulysses, Kansas took on Ricardo Fernandez 15-13(1KO) from Santa Cruz de la sierra, Bolivia in a scheduled 8 round bout. Garcia is coming off a very short break just fighting a little over a month ago when he KOd his opponent in 3 rounds. Coming into this fight should not be nothing new to “Kid Kansas” this past year fighting on average every 2 months, each time taking care of business

Coming to the ring paying homage to Mexico wear the colors of the flag Green, white, and red  during Hispanic heritage month. As the action started Garcia quickly Established the jab, connecting flush on his opponent’s face.

Picking up the activity in the 2nd utilizing more of his arsenal going to the body more often. Towards the end of the round Garcia briefing stunned Fernandez with a left hook to his right temple.

Settling down for the start of the 3rd  Garcia again picked it up carrying all the action as his dance partner did not come out to tangle. Very solid round for Kid Kansas as he did a little of everything  head shots, body shots and movement in the ring

Sensing he has nothing to lose Fernandez came out his Corner swinging, throwing as many punches as all of the previous rounds combine. That was short lived as Garcia took control of the fight once again simply out boxing Fernandez

Garcias body  shots have been landing effectively throughout the fight so far. In a wild turn of event with 45 seconds left in the 5th round Garcia left his guard down and was caught with a powerful right over hand. Before even hitting the canvass Garcia was out, unfortunately his head bounced off the mat. Not being able to get up the referee stops the fight at 35 seconds left in the fifth round.

This is a huge upset for top prospect Alan Garcia, maybe all those miles he put on his body this year is what failed him tonight. There is still a very bright future for Kid Kansas. In his post fight interview Fernandez stated that he was not surprised of the knockout and he knew that he was not getting up. Fernandez improves to 16-13(2KOs) while Garcia suffered his first defeat now at 14-1(11KOs)—-By David Galaviz

DJ Zamora wins decision in tough junior-lightweight bout 

DJ Zamora calls himself The War Machine. 

He got the war. 

Got the victory, too.

Zamora (14-0, 9 KOs), a junior-lightweight from Las Vegas, won a unanimous decision, yet was forced into an intense battle during the middle to late rounds of a scheduled eight-rounder by Argentine Gerenardo Antonio Perez (12-6-1, 3 KOs) Friday on a card featuring Munguia-Bazinyan at Desert Diamond Arena Friday.

Zamora’s superior reach and hand speed controlled the early rounds. In the fourth, however, Perez adjusted, slipped under Zamora’s long  punches and landed repeated uppercuts in a bout cheered by a small, yet lively crowd. 

Unbeaten Steven Navarro scores third-round TKO

Steven Navarro, an unbeaten Super Flyweight from Los Angeles, combined power and speed for a two-fisted demolition of Oscar Arroyo in the third fight — all one-sided — Friday on the card featuring Jaime Munguia-Eric Bazinyan at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena.

Navarro (4-0, 3 KOs) overwhelmed Arroyo (3-3, 2 KOs), of Virginia, knocking him down twic , once in the first round and again in the second. Late in third, Navarro unleashed a succession of punches from countless angles, prompting the referee to step in and end it at 2:35 of the round.  

Jorge Perez scores first-round KO

ia Essaoudi walked into the ring, answered an opening bell and had to be helped through ropes and into his dressing forty-six seconds later.

It was quick work, all delivered by Mexican middleweight Jorge Perez (31-4, 26 KOs) in the second fight on a card featuring Munguia-Bazinyan at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb.

Perez, of Los Mochis, landed a lethal hook to Essaoudi’s left side. Essaoudi (22-3, 15 KOs), of Germany, reacted as if he had suffered a fractured rib. In evident pain, he dropped his hands. Then, Perez landed a head-rockincombo. At :46 of the first round, it was over — Perez, winner by knockout.

First Bell: Unbeaten Sebastian Hernandez forces aging foe to quit 

It was a matinee surrender.

The ESPN show featuring Jaime Munguia-Erik Bazinyan opened Friday at Desert Diamond Arena with junior-featherweight  Sebastian Hernandez (17-0, 16 KOs), of Tijuana, landing punches at will against a retreating Yenfrez Parejo (24-7-1, 12 KOs) a middle-aged Venezuelan with a receding hair line. 

Parejo’s age was listed  at 37-years-old. By the third, he looked 50. After the fourth, he was finished, a senior citizen who couldn’t continue.

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.
 

# # #

 
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.

Angelo Leo became a two-division world champion with a explosive 10th round stoppage over Luis Alberto Lopez to win the IBF Featherweight champion at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico

In round nine, Leo started to swell under his right eye. In round 10, Leo landed a perfect left hook to the chin that sent Lopez sprawling flat on his back and he was counted out at 1:16.

Leo, 125.6 lbs of Albuquerque is now 25-1 with 12 knockouts. Lopez, 125.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 30-3.

Leo said, “This means the world to me, fighting back in my hometown. I’ve been yearning for this moment. Like I said, what better way to do it than with a world title shot and with a knockout?
 
“That left hook, we’ve been practicing in camp for four, five months. Not in the gym, but in my room in front of the mirror. I just kept throwing that left hook. And it paid off in the 10^th round.
 
“I want to fight all the champions, whether it be Rafael Espinoza for a unification bout. Naoya Inoue, whoever it may be.”

Lindolfo Delgado Defeats Bryan Flores by Split Decision

In a battle of undefeated junior welterweights, Lindolfo Delgado won a 10-round split decision over Bryan Flores.

In round three, Delgado dropped Flores with a clubbing right to the top of the head.

In round seven, Flores was deducted a point for a low blow.

Delgado landed 100 of 354 punches. Flores was 104 of 471.

Delgado won two cards by scores of 96-92 and 95-93. Flores won a card 96-92.

Delgado, 139.9 lbs of Linares, MEX is 21-0. Flores, 139.9 lbs of Juarez, MEX is 26-1-1.

Delgado said, “The victory was not easy, but I enjoyed it a lot. I enjoyed every round of it, as we had to stay focused in each moment to win the fight.”

“He came with a strong will to win, and aside from that, he throws his punches with force. But we managed to get the victory. I would like a world title opportunity next

Matthew Griego won an eight-round unanimous decision over Gilberto Mendoza in a flyweight bout.

Griego, 111.9 lbs of Albuquerque won by scores of 80-2 on all cards and is now 15-0. Mendoza, 110.7 lbs of Modesto, CA is 23-19-4.

Vito Mielnicki Jr. stopped Laszlo Toth in the second round of their 10-round junior middleweight bout.

In round two, Mielnicki landed an uppercut that was followed by a left hook to the temple that put Toth down. Toth got to his feet but was stumbling around. His father/trainer entered the ring therefore the official result was a disqualification.

Mielnicki, 154 lbs of Roseland, NJ is 19-1. Toth, 153.3 lbs of Soprom, HUN is 32-9-2.

“I thought it was a knockout, not a DQ,” Mielnicki said. “Xander Zayas, we could get that going in New York soon, probably in another year. Let’s get that going. I heard him call my name. I’d love that.”

Albert Gonzalez remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Damian Alcala in a six-round featherweight bout.

In round three, Gonzalez scored a knockdown with a hard combination. Gonzalez continued to land hard shots drilled Alcala with a big uppercut that was followed by a right that put Alcala down again and the fight was stopped at 2:51.

Gonzalez, 126.3 lbs of Moreno Valle, CA is now 10-0 with six knockouts. Alcala, 126.9 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 8-5.

Alan Garcia remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Maickol Lopez Villagrana in a eight-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Garcia dropped Villagrana with a right hand. In round three, it was a left hook that put Villagana on the canvas. Later in the round it was a double right hook that put Villagrana down again and the fight was stopped at 2:34.

Garcia, 136.2 lbs of Ulysses, KS is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Villagrana, 136.2 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 16-6.

Steven Navarro stopped Israel Camacho in the opening round of their six-round bantamweight bout.

In round one, Navarra dropped Camacho with a hard left to the body. Seconds later it was another thudding left to the body that put Camacho on the canvas and the fight was over at 2:14.

Navarro, 116.6 lbs of Inglewood, CA is 3-0 with two knockouts. Camacho, 115.6 lbs of Houston is 2-12.

World-ranked featherweight Arnold Khegai stopped Belmar Preciado after round nine of their 10-round bout.

Khegai dominated the fight until Preciado had enough following the ninth frame.

Khegai, 125.8 lbs of Odessa, UKR is 22-1-1 with 14 knockouts. Preciado, 125.9 lbs of Ibohue, COL is 22-8-1.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (July 10, 2024) — Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro, the fast-rising junior bantamweight prospect from Los Angeles, returns to action in a six-rounder against Oscar Arroyo on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Navarro joins a loaded lineup headlined by the featherweight main event between IBF champion Venado Lopez and hometown hero Angelo Leo.

Venado-Leo and the Lindolfo Delgado-Bryan Flores junior welterweight co-feature will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Navarro-Arroyo and additional undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Legacy Boxing Promotions, tickets are on sale now via  Etix.com.

 “I had a lot of fun in my Top Rank debut in Las Vegas last month, and I believe the fans enjoyed my performance,” Navarro said. “I am excited to showcase my skills in Albuquerque, a storied fight city with passionate fans. Mi gente, vengan a verme pelear por ustedes.”

Navarro (2-0, 1 KO), a 13-time U.S. national amateur champion from a renowned fighting family, is on the fast track to contender status after turning pro with a stunning sixth-round stoppage over Jose Lopez in April. He inked a long-term contract with Top Rank later that month and made his promotional debut in June in Las Vegas, shutting out 10-fight veteran Juan Pablo Meza over six rounds. Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs), a native of Nicaragua, is coming off a four-round decision defeat to Fernando Diaz.

Rafael Espinoza made the first defense of the WBO Featherweight title with a four-round beatdown of Sergio Chirino at The Fontainbleau Las Vegas.

In round one, Espinoza landed a perfect short left uppercut under an attempted right of Chirino that landed right on Chirino’s jaw that put the challenger on the canvas. In round three, Espinoza dropped Chirino by landing a right uppercut that was followed by a left to the body. In round four, the relentless Espinoza landed a big uppercut on the chin that was followed up by another tapping uppercut that made Chirino wilt to the canvas and the fight was stopped at

Espinoza at 6’1″ is the tallest featherweight champion history and the 125-pound native of Guadalajara, MEX is 25-0 with 21 knockouts. Chirino, 125.6 lbs of Oaxaca, MEX is 23-2.

Espinoza said, “From the beginning, the hunger that I have to triumph, to be better and to move forward was apparent. I gave my heart, and it shows.

“We had a plan to control our distance in the fight. But I like throwing punches and showing people what they want to see, which is action. That’s why I went forward as soon as the first round began. I don’t like going backward.

“I’m here. It’s my time. The time of ‘El Divino.’ I want to unify, and I want the big challenges.” 

Andres Cortes Decisions Abraham Nova

Andres Cortes won a 10-round unanimous decision over Abrham Nova in a junior lightweight bout.

In round three, Cortes was cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt.

It seemed like Nova pulled out the decision by being more active down the stretch but it was Cortes who won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94.

Cortes landed 172 of 497 punches. Nova was 196 of 783.

Cortes, who was over the 130-pound weight limit at 130.8 lbs is now 22-0. Nova, 129.7 lbs of Albany, NY is 23-3.

Cortes said, “It was a tough fight. I knew he was a tough competitor. He just went 12 rounds with a world champion. So, I knew it would be a tough one.

“He was very dirty in there. He called me a dirty fighter, but he was really dirty in there. All these headbutts and stuff. But it was a good fight. No excuses. I dug deep and got the victory.”

Nova said, “This is boxing. This is what happens. I started a bit slow. But then I got my rhythm. I went in there, and I did what I had to do. He hit me a lot behind the head.

“This is boxing. All I’ve got to go is back to drawing board, fix a couple things and come back.” 

In a battle of undefeated middleweight fighters who were amateur stars, Troy Isley won a 10-round unanimous decision over Javier Martinez.

In round seven, Martinez was deducted a point for low blows. A round later, it was Isley who had a point taken away for the same infraction.

Isley landed 206 of 674. Martinez was 134 of 553.

Isley, 158.9 lbs of Alexandria, VA won by scores of 97-91 twice and 96-92 and is now 13-0. Martinez, 159.8 lbs of Milwaukee is 10-1-1.

Isley said, “His two wins over me as an amateur meant nothing. The talent gap showed. We’re on to bigger things now. I want the champions soon.
 
“We knew to box him. We didn’t want to make it a firefight. I had to stay composed and box him.”

Floyd Diaz remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Francisco Pedroza in a bantamweight fight.

In round six, Pedroza was deducted a point for hitting on the break.

Diaz, 117.8 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 78-73 on all cards and is now 12-0. Pedroza, 117.5 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is now 18-12-2.

DJ Zamora III remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Juan Antonio Meza in a junior lightweight bout.

Zamora, 131.5 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 13-0. Meza, 131.2 lbs of Torreon, MEX is 9-10.

Steven Navarro won a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Pablo Meza in a junior bantamweight fight.

Navarro, 115.7 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 2-0. Meza, 114.8 lbs of Santiago, CHL is 7-4.

Bryan Polaco remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Richard Acevedo in a six-round middleweight fight.

In round three, Polcao dropped Acevedo with a combination. Seconds later, it was a one-two that forced Acevedo’s glove to touch the canvas for a second knockdown. Later in the round, Acevedo began to swell from under his left eye. With Acevedo on unsteady legs, the bout was stopped at 2:51.

Polaco, 156 lbs of Fajardo, PR is 7-0 with five knockouts. Acevedo, 156.3 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 6-1-1.

LAS VEGAS (April 24, 2024) — Junior bantamweight sensation Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro, a 13-time U.S. national amateur champion who turned pro earlier this month with a show-stopping knockout, has signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank.
 
The 20-year-old Navarro, a native of Inglewood, California, is scheduled to make his Top Rank debut in June.

“Steven is an exceptional talent who comes from a great boxing family, and I believe he has all the tools to become a world champion,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “I can’t wait to watch his professional journey unfold.”

“My road to becoming a world champion is just beginning, and I’m ready to work hard and show the world what I’m made of,” Navarro said. “I intend to make a statement and win world titles at junior bantamweight. I believe Top Rank is the best promoter to showcase my talents. It’s been an amazing ride from being an amateur since I was nine and winning all those championships, to stopping a tough opponent in my pro debut, and now signing with the legendary Top Rank.”

“Steven has massive star potential. He’s fun to watch in the ring with masterful footwork, unexpected combinations, and excellent boxing IQ,” said Vishare Mooney, Navarro’s manager. “Outside the ring, he is very charismatic and well-liked by fans and sponsors. Guided by Top Rank, the sky’s the limit.”

Navarro (1-0, 1 KO) made his pro debut on April 6 in Las Vegas, stopping 10-fight veteran Jose Lopez in the sixth round. Lopez entered the fight on a five-bout unbeaten streak and had never been knocked out as a pro. Last December, Navarro earned a silver medal at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Lafayette, Louisiana, dropping a controversial decision in the gold medal match. His amateur accolades include a USA Youth National Championships gold medal in 2021 and silver medals at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games and 2022 USA National Championships.

Navarro comes from a long and storied boxing lineage. His uncle, Jose Navarro, represented Team USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and challenged for a world title four times during a decorated 33-bout career. His father and head trainer, Refugio Navarro, had 10 professional fights. Another one of his uncles, Carlos Navarro, went 27-6-1 over a nearly 11-year pro career. 
 
Navarro said, “I have a great team, especially my dad, who’s been by my side all along. We’re about to do great things.”