By Ken Hissner: At the Honda Center, Anaheim, CA, Saturday, over DAZN, Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) presented in the Main Event former WBO Light Middleweight champion now the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight champion Jaime Munguia defeated “King” Gabe Rosado over 12 rounds.
In the Main Event, former WBO Light Middleweight champion now the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight champion, Jaime Munguia, 38-0 (30), #160, of Tijuana, Baja California, MEX, defeated “King” Gabriel Rosado, 26-14-1 (15), #159 ½, of Philadelphia, PA, and Puerto Rico, over 12 grueling rounds.
In the first four rounds, it was all Munguia with Rosado fighting in spurts. In the fifth round, Rosado did enough to possibly take the round. In the seventh round, Rosado took Munguia down as both hit the canvas. Referee Jack Reiss gave a warning to Rosado. In the eighth round, it was close, with Rosado finishing well.
In the ninth rounds halfway point, Munguia landed half a dozen unanswered punches and again with a minute left in the round. In the final twenty seconds again, half a dozen unanswered punches, yet it was Rosado landing punches at the end of the round.
In the tenth round, Munguia had a game Rosado in trouble only to have Rosado come back with a right on the chin stunning Munguia. In the final minute, Munguia had Rosado in trouble until the final seconds, with the heart of Rosado getting to the end of the round.
In the eleventh round, Rosado’s face swelled but somehow stayed erect as Munguia landed punch after punch. In the twelfth and final round, Munguia continued his attack but couldn’t overtake the will of Rosado, who hung in there right to the bell with a bloody nose.
Scores were 118-110, 119-109, and 117-111, with this writer 118-110.
Flyweight Arely “Ametralladora” Mucino, 30-3-2 (10), #111 ¾, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MEX, won a split decision over Jacky Calvo, 14-7-2 (1), #112, of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MEX, over 10×3 rounds.
In the ninth round, Mucino was knocked down.
Middleweight D’Mitrius “Big Meech” Ballard, 21-0-1-1nc (13), #159 ¾, of Temple Hills, MD, defeated Paul “Chicho” Valenzuela, Jr., 26-10 (17), #160, of Santa Rosalia, Baja California, MEX, over ten close rounds.
In the first round, it was all Valenzuela moving around the ring scoring rights to the body of Ballard, who hasn’t fought in 23 months and not doing much of anything. In the second round, a clash of heads hurt Ballard, who held on until his head cleared. In the third round, Ballard started going to the body, but the awkward Valenzuela out lands him. In the fourth round, Ballard started landing left hooks to the chin of Valenzuela.
In the fifth and sixth rounds, it was close, but Valenzuela seemed to have the edge landing punches from all angles. In the seventh round, it was another close one, with Ballard ending the round with a left hook on the chin of Valenzuela taking the round.
In the ninth round, a left hook from Ballard caused a cut over the right eye of Valenzuela. In the tenth and final round, Ballard continued finishing the stronger possibly pulling out the fight though a draw wouldn’t surprise me.
Scores were all surprisingly 98-92, with this writer 95-95. The referee was Thomas Taylor. Fans were not happy with the decision.
Welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha, 18-1 (12), #146 ¼, of Santa Anna, CA, stopped Jeovanis “Meque” Barraza, 23-2 (15), #146 ½, of Barranquilla, COL, at 0:33 of the ninth round of a 10.
In the second round, Rocha continued coming forward, ending the round with a left on the chin, rocking Barraza in the final seconds. In the final minute of the third round, a right uppercut from Rocha on the chin rocked Barraza. In the fifth round, Rocha continued working the body, coming forward at all times.
In the sixth through the eighth, it was all Rocha. In the eighth round, Rocha had Barranza hurt and hanging on at the bell. In the ninth round, Rocha landed a flurry of punches causing the referee to finally call a halt.
WBA Continental Americas Lightweight champion southpaw William “Camaron” Zepeda, 24-0 (22), #134 ½, of San Mateo, Atencio, MEX, stopped John “Mulawin” Vincent Moralde, 24-6 (13), #133 ¾, of General Santos, City, and Miami, FL, at 1:59 of the fourth of a 10.
In the first round, Zepeda had a big round chasing down Moralde and hurting him in the final minute of the round with a left on the chin. In the fourth round, a barrage of punches from Zepeda drove Moralde into the ropes as the latter turned away, giving up as referee Ed Hernandez, Sr., waved it off!
