At the Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, Saturday over DAZN Oscar de La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) presented in the Main Event former WBO Light Middleweight champion now WBO and WBC No. 1 ranked Jaime Munguia stopped No. 13 WBC ranked Kamil Szeremeta after 6 rounds in a WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title defense. In the co-feature former Olympic Silver Medalist, No. 7 WBA and WBO No. 12 ranked Bektemire “Bully” Melikuziev scored a first round knockdown only to be knocked out in the third round by Philadelphia’s ”King” Gabriel Rosado for the WBA Continental Americas and vacant WBO International World Super Middleweight titles.
In the Main Event former WBO Junior Middleweight Champ, WBO and WBC top ranked WBO Inter-Continental champion Jaime Munguia, 36-0 (29), #159 ½, of Tijuana, Baj CA, MEX, late sub Kamil Szeremeta, 21-1 (5), #159 ¾, of Bialystok, POL, 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds Munguia had the edge against late sub (On a 2 week notice) Szeremeta. In the third and fourth rounds Munguia used a big body attack with left uppercuts. In the fifth round Munguia hurt Szeremeta with a right to the body. He landed a flurry of punches with little return from Szeremeta. In the sixth round it was all Munguia with a vicious body attack having Szeremeta hurt several times and almost out at the bell. The corner of Szeremeta informed the referee Rafael Ramos the fight was over. Former world champion Erik Morales was the new trainer for Munguia.
“My offense was my defense from the first round. It’s my third fight at this weight and I feel more comfortable. I was surprised he took so many punches. I’m ready for a title fight at middleweight,” said Munguia.
In the co-feature unbeaten former Olympian southpaw Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev, 7-1 (6), #168, of Shoimbek, Uzbekistan, was upset by “King” Gabriel Rosado, 26-13-1 (15), #168, of Philadelphia, PA, at 1:21 of the third round of a scheduled 12, winning the WBA Continental Americas and vacant WBO International World Super Middleweight titles.
In the first round in the final seconds a left to the body from Melikuziev dropped Rosado for an 8-count from referee Rocky Burke as the round came to an end. In the third round with Melikuziev having Rosado backed into a corner was hit with the first solid punch from Rosado a lead right on the chin dropping Melikuziev to his knees as referee Burke counted him out!
“I feel great and first of all I want to thank God and put all my trust in God. (After the knockdown in the first) He caught me good. I knew it was a 12 round fight and I knew I had time after getting dropped with that body shot. I knew I had the will to win. Everyone knows I beat Danny Jacobs and now this kid. We want Mungia, baby,” said Rosado.
In the co-feature WBC World Female Flyweight Champion Ibeteh Zamora, 32-7 (12), #111 ¼, of San Cristobal, MEX, was upset by 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Marlen Esparza, 10-1 (1), #111 ¼, of Houston, TX, over 10 close exciting rounds.
In the first round Esparza ran across the ring landing the first punch and dominated into the final minute. An overhand right from Zamora on the chin in the final minute on the chin dropped Esparza who was up quickly from the count of referee Roberto Velez. From the second through the sixth rounds Esparza came back well outworking Zamora with quicker hands. In the seventh through the ninth rounds Zamora had a slight edge coming back with some needed offense from left hooks. In the tenth and final round it was a war with Zamora trying to hold onto her title after nine even rounds. Zamora threw more punches but Esparza landed more!
Scores were 97-92, 96-94 and 95-94 as had this writer but for Zamora.
“It was difficult coming back from the head butt dropping me in the first round. I felt after that I was winning. I want to thank my team, my family, and my sparring partners. We’ve been pushing since April. I want all the belts but have a lot of improvement to do. I want to thank God, Golden Boy,” said Esparza.
Welterweight southpaw Blair “The Flair” Cobb, 15-0-1 (10), #146 ¾, of Las Vegas, NV, stopped Brad “King Buzy Bee” Solomon, 29-4 (9), #146 ¾, of Douglasville, GA, at 2:57 of the fifth round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first two rounds Cobb came out southpaw outworking Solomon who has scored several lead rights on the chin. Twenty seconds into the third round Cobb rocked Solomon with a left on the chin driving him into a corner. In the final minute Solomon rocked Cobb with a left hook on the chin finishing strong. In the fifth round it was even after four when Cobb opened up with a flurry of punches drawing blood from the nose of Solomon. He completely dominated the round. In the final seconds of the round a lead left from Cobb on the chin had Solomon falling frontwards to a knee when referee Rafael Ramos waved it off!
“It was an electrifying performance. This guy that I fought is a top ten contender. Blair “The Flair” is exciting. I hurt him to the body and to the head. To all my fans and naysayers what layoff? (16 months). If Jesse Vargas wants to fight you know where to call. First of all I want to thank God. Only through him are all things possible!”