At the Fantasy Springs Casino, in Indio, CA, Friday, Golden Boy Promotions – Oscar de La Hoya, over DAZN, former WBO World Light Middleweight champion Jamie Munguia stopped Tureano Johnson on a bad cut for the vacant Inter-Continental Middleweight title.
In the Main Event former WBO Jr. Middle champion Jamie Munguia, 36-0 (29), #159¾, of Tijuana, Baja CA, MEX, stopped Tureano Johnson, 21-3-1 (15), #1591/2, of Nassau, Bahamas, after 5 close rounds at the end of 6 of a 12, due to a split cut lip for the vacant Inter-Continental Middleweight title over.
In the first two rounds Johnson switched from southpaw to orthodox smothering Munguia. In the third Munguia countered with solid uppercuts to the body and head. In the fourth and fifth rounds Johnson came back outworking Mungia. In the sixth a right uppercut from Munigia split the lip of Johnson. At the end of the round the ring physician stopped it.
In the co-feature “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis, 23-0 (14), #146¾, of Lynn, MASS, defeated southpaw Alexis “Lex” Rocha, 16-1 (10), #1461/2, of Santa Ana, CA, over 12 rounds, for the WBC Int’l Silver Welter title.
In the first four rounds Rocha was the aggressor but Ellis was faster with his hands and feet taking the first three rounds. Southpaw Rocha came back to take the fourth and fifth rounds.
In the sixth through the eleventh rounds Ellis came back well. In the twelfth and final round it was all Ellis. Thomas Taylor was the referee.
Scores were 116-112 twice and 115-113 with this writer 117-113.
In his second defense WBO World Junior Flyweight title Edwin “La Pulga” Soto, 18-1 (12), #107¼, of San Felipe, Baja CA, MEX, defeated Carlos “Choccoroncito” Buitrago, 32-6-1 (10), #107¾, of Managua, NIC, over 12 good rounds.
In the first five rounds Soto had a slight edge with left uppercuts to the chin. Buitrago came back throwing more but not landed as much. At the end of the seventh round Soto rocked Buitrago with an overhand right on the chin.
In the eleventh round Buitrago with swelling under his right eye came back well rocking Soto thirty seconds into the round with a right on the chin. In the twelfth and final round at the halfway point Buitrago landed half a dozen unanswered punches.
Scores were 119-109, 117-111 and 115-113 as did this writer have it.
Super Feather Lamont Roach, Jr., 20-1-1 (8), #129¾, of Upper Marlboro, MD, knocked out Neil “Beast” John Tabano, 17-8 (11), #129¾, of Mandaue City, Cebu, PH, at 0:34 of the third round of a 10.
Flyweight 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Marlen Esparza, 8-1-1 (1), #111¾, of Houston, TX, defeated Mexican Sulem Urbina, 12-1 (2), #1111/2, of Phoenix, AZ, over 8 rounds.
In the first six rounds each fighter took three with Urbina the aggressor and Esparza the counter puncher. In the seventh through the eleventh it was Esparza with Urbina having swelling under her left eye from Esparza’s right hands. In the twelfth and final round both fighters let it all hang out with Esparza getting the best of it. Scores were 80-72 twice and 78-74 as did this writer have it.