Vergil Ortiz Jr. came off almost a year layoff to keep his perfect knockout streak intact as he stopped Michael McKinson in round nine of their welterweight bout at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

In round one, Ortiz was cut around the left eye from an accidental headbutt

In round eight, Ortiz landed a hard left hook to the body that dropped McKinson  In the opening seconds of round nine, Ortiz landed a big left to the body.  McKinson was hurt and the corner waved the towel and the fight was stopped at 27 seconds.

Ortiz, 146.6 lbs of Grand Prairie, Texas is 19-0 with 19 knockouts.  McKinson, 146.8 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG is 22-1.

Marlen Esparza Decisions Guzman; Retains Flyweight Titles

Marlen Esparza defended WBA/WBC Flyweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over Eva Guzman.

In round six, Esparza was cut on the side of her left eye. Esparza was very pinpoint on her punches and won by scores of 98-92 twice and 99-91.

Esparza, 111.8 lbs of Houston, Texas is 13-1.  Guzman, 109 lbs of Marcay, VEN is 19-2.

Blair Cobbs Drops Hooker 3 times; Wins Decision

Blair Cobbs won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Maurice Hooker in a welterweight bout.

In round one, Cobbs dropped Hooker with a huge three-punch combination that was highlighted overhand right. In round two, Cobbs dumped Hooker again with hard straight left.  Late in the round, it was another straight left that put Hooker down again,

In round six, Cobbs was cut around the right eye from an accidental headbutt.

Cobbs, 146 lbs of Philadelphia, PA won by scores of 97-90 twice and 96-91 and is now 16-1-1.  Hooker who came in over the contracted weight, weighed in at 150 lbs and Dallas, Texas native is now 27-3-3.

“This wasn’t an easy fight, it was a tougher fight than my last one, and this victory for sure has put me in the top ten rankings,” said Blair Cobbs. “I fought a tougher, heavier fighter. He could box and had an extremely long reach, but today I showed that I can go into deep waters, box, and give fans a show. I want to thank god for this performance, there is nothing stronger and greater than god. Today, I showed that I have more to give to the sport of boxing, that even through adversity Blair ‘The Flair’ will come out on top.” 

Melikuziev stops Janjanin in 3

Hard punching Bektemir Melikuziev stopped Sladan Janjanin in round three of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout

In the first 30 seconds, Melikuziev landed a vicious left to the body that put Janjanin down in a lot of pain. In round two, Melikuziev landed some hard shots to the head that sent Janjanin down for a second time.  In round three, it was another vicious left to the body that sent Janjanin to the deck.  The fight was finally stopped when Melikuziev continued to land thudding punches and the fight ended at 2:18.

Melikuziev, 171 lbs of Indio, CA is 10-1 with eight knockouts.  Janjanin, 168 lbs of Boston, MA is 32-13.

“I didn’t know my opponent until recently so we trained to have a good camp and a preparation,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “After I dropped him with the body shot I was hoping he would keep going, we didn’t come here to end it one punch. We want to make sure we get some rounds in to gain some experience. But he was an awkward fighter, very uncomfortable but I think my training really showed off today.” 

19 year-old Floyd Schofield remained undefeated by taking out Rodrigo Guerrero in round six of their eight-round lightweight bout.

In round three, Schofield landed a right hand that put Guerrero on the canvas for a knockdown. Schofield dropped Guerrero for a second time in round four, and the bout was stopped after round five. The official time was 10 seconds of round six.

Schofield, 133.8 lbs from Austin, TX is now 11-0 with nine knockouts. Guerrero, 134.6 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 26-15-2.

Alex Martin brushed himself from a first round knockdown to win a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Hank Lundy in a junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Lundy dropped Martin with an overhand left.

Martin, 140 lbs of Chicago, IL won by scores of 98-91 and 97-92 twice and is now 18-4. Lundy, 138.4 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is 31-11-1.

Carlos Nava remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Rodolfo Hernandez in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout.

In round two, Nava dropped Ramirez with a big right hand. In round four, Nava delivered punishment and landed a flurry of punches and the bout was stopped at 36 seconds.

Nava, 138.8 lbs of Pasadena, TX is 9-0 with six knockouts. Hernandez, 135 lbs of Mexico City is 30-11-1.

Figo Ramirez won a four-round unanimous decision over Francisco Bonilla in a bantamweight contest.

In round two, Ramirez was deducted a point for a low blow.

Ramirez, 117.4 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 39-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Bonilla, 117 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is now 6-14-3.

Rohan Polanco stopped Dedrick Bell in round two of their eight-round welterweight bout.

Polanco landed a devastating left to the Solar Plexus that sent Bell down for the count.

Polanco, 147 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is now 8-0 with five knockouts. Bell, 146.8 lbs of Memphis, TN is 31-33-1.

Gilberto Ramirez remained undefeated by stopping Dominic Boesel in round four of their 12-round light heavyweight elimination bout at The Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

In round four, Ramirez dropped Boesel with a hard left to the body and the fight was stopped at 1:33

Ramirez, 174.8 lbs of Mazaltan, MEX is 44-0 with 30 knockouts. Boesel, 174.2 lbs of Freyburg, GER is 32-3.

“I feel great about my performance,” said Zurdo Ramirez. “As I said, I would put on a spectacular show here in LA. I got the victory via knock-out. I was expecting his best; we were expecting heavy shots. I trained way too hard for this position, and no one will take it from me. I used my distance more, and I attacked the body more. I know my last fight was tough, but I was really prepared for this one. I ate more tacos for this fight. I feel this is my natural weight. Everyone knows I want Bivol. He needs to stop running and sign the contract. I’m coming for you and that belt. I deserve that fight. I think I can beat him since I’m bigger, stronger, and smarter.”

“I thought I would hit him more with my jab,” said Domonic Boesel. “I came confidently to this fight. He got me in the liver with the first punch. I couldn’t do much when I got hit with the body shot.”

Zepeda Decisions Alvarado

William Zepeda remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Rene Alvarado in a lightweight bout.

Zepeda landed 318 of 956; Alvarado was 206 of 1391. – Alvarado’s 1,391 total punches are the fourth-most ever recorded by CompuBox in a lightweight fight.  Their combined 2,347 total punch attempts are the 3rd most in CompuBox lightweight history…

Zepeda. 134.4 lbs of San Mateo Atenco, MEX won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 26-0. Alvarado, 134.6 lbs of Managua, NIC is 32-12.

“It was a great fight with a great fighter,” said William Zepeda. “I have a lot to learn, and we need to work on some things. I want to thank Alvarado for the opportunity. He gave me some of his experience, which I am grateful for. We’re going to keep giving it our all. Now to enjoy this victory. Thank you to all my fans.”

John Ramirez Knocks Salvatierra Out of Ring in 1

John Ramirez scored an explosive first-round stoppage over Jan Salvatierra in a scheduled eight-round super flyweight bout.

Ramirez landed a perfect right hand that folded Salvatierra down and under the bottom rope. Salvatierra was able to get back in the ring, but he was in no condition to continue and the fight was stopped at 2:25.

Ramirez, 114.6 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is 10-0 with eight knockouts. Salvatierra, 114.6 lbs of Cabo San Lucas, MEX is 8-2.

“I knew I was going to end the fight via knock-out,” said John Ramirez. “I am excited the fight ended dramatically, but there is more to come from me. I am going to keep working, keep rising until I can claim that world title.”

Akitsugi Wins Technical Decision over Gonzalez

Katsuma Akitsugi won a technical decision over Jose Gonzalez when Gonzalez could not continue after a head clash opened up a cut. The featherweight bout was scheduled for 10-rounds.

In round three, Gonzalez was cut over the left eye from an accidental headbutt. As the fourth round commenced, Gonzalez could not continue, and the fight was waved off.

Akitsugi, 124.6 lbs of Hollywood, CA is 10-0. Gonzalez, 125.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 23-10-1.

“I don’t even feel like I fought,” said Katsuma Akitsugi. “I was trying to fight the full ten rounds. Unfortunately, the head butt was an accident. I wanted to continue, but it is what it is. I can’t wait to fight on more Golden Boy cards.”

Jorge Chavez remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Eduardo Melendez in a scheduled four-round super featherweight bout.

Chavez, 128.4 lbs of San Diego, CA is 4-0 woth three knockouts. Melendez, 129.6 lbs of Ponce, PR is 6-32.

“I had a lot of success tonight,” said Jorge Chavez. “We had little fall outs in my camp but we pushed through. We came out victorious and my people were here. He was a big fighter so I had to pick him apart. He started getting tired and I went in for the kill. I started throwing sharp shots.”

Japhtelee Llamido stopped Edgar Figueroa in round five of their six-round super featherweight bout.

In round five, Llamido landed a hard right to the body that sent Figueroa to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:35.

Llamido, 126.4 lbs of Norwalk, CA is 7-0 with four knockouts. Figueroa, 127.2 lbs of Palm Beach, FL is 4-3-1.

“I felt good, I stuck to the game plan my team had for this fight,” said Japhethlee Llamido. “My opponent was tough, he had some fights at 130-135lbs so we knew he was going to be strong. We’ll just get ready for the next one.”

Carlos Nava stopped Yampier Hernandez in the sixth and final round of their lightweight bout.

In round six, Nava landed hard flurry on the ropes and backed up Hernandez and the fight was stopped at 1:57.

Nava, 135 lbs of Pasadena, TX is 8-0 with five knockouts. Hernandez, 133.6 lbs of Miami, FL is 1-1.

“It’s my first time fighting in a bigger venue than usual,” said Carlos Nava. “I felt amazing. It’s like a dream come true. I thought my opponent was very experienced since he’s a bronze medalist. I was the one hunting him down. Hopefully I get back in camp in a couple days and on to the next fight.”

Kareem Hackett remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Josue Obando in a cruiserweight bout.

In round five, Obando began to bleed from his nose.

Hackett, 178.6 lbs of Toronto, CAN won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0. Obando, 179.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 20-34-2.

” I felt excellent,” said Kareem Hacket. “My whole team is here to support and I opened up the night. My opponent was tough. I hit him with everything I got and he was still standing. Props to him for being a veteran in the sport. Hopefully I keep fighting on these cards and eventually get a regional title or maybe go back to Canada and get the Canadian title.”