By Ken Hissner: At the Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday over DAZN, Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) presented in the Main Event returning to the ring after a year WBO & WBA No. 1 ranked Vergil Ortiz, Jr. of Desoto, Texas halted Michael McKinson of the UK in 9 rounds. In the co-feature WBA & WBC World Flyweight champion Marlen Esparza defeated WBA Interim World Flyweight champion Eva Guzman.
In the Main Event WBO & WBA No. 1 ranked Vergil Ortiz, Jr., 19-0 (19), #146 ½, of Grand Prairie, TX, halted southpaw Michael McKinson, 22-1 (2), #146 ¾, of Portsmouth, UK, at 0:27 of round nine of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first rounds final seconds a clash of heads caused a cut on the left eyebrow of Ortiz, Jr. In the third round a left hook from Ortiz, Jr. on the chin rocked McKinson in the first minute of the round. In the fourth round Ortiz, Jr. landed a solid right to the body of McKinson midway in the round.
In the fifth round McKinson used a good jab trying to avoid the attack from Ortiz, Jr. In the sixth round Ortiz, Jr. was missing as many as landing against the illusive McKinson who was jabbing his way through the round. In the seventh round McKinson manages to outmaneuver Ortiz, Jr. who gets warned for a low blow by Referee Laurence Cole.
In the eighth rounds final twenty seconds a left hook from Ortiz, Jr. to the body and down went McKinson for an 8-count. In the ninth round again a left hook from Ortiz, Jr. knocked down McKinson for an 8-count. Ortiz, Jr. was all over him before Referee Cole called a halt when the towel was thrown in from the corner.
In the co-Main Event Olympian, WBA & WBC World Flyweight champion Marlen Esparza, 12-1 (1), #109, of Houston, TX, defeated WBA Interim World Flyweight champion Eva “La Ley” Guzman, 19-2-1 (11), #111 ¾, of Maracay, VZ, over 10×2 rounds.
In the first round Marlen controlled with a jab. In the second round it was all Guzman. In the fourth and fifth rounds the action continued with Marlen having an edge.
In the seventh through the ninth rounds Marlen continued out boxing Guzman. In the tenth and final round Guzman rocked Marlen with a combination to the chin with a minute remaining.
Scores were 98-92 twice and 99-91. 97-93 for this writer.
Former WBO World Light Welterweight champion Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker, 27-3-3 (18), #150, of Dallas, TX, was defeated by southpaw Brian “The Flair” Cobb, 16-1-1 (10), #146, of Hollywood, CA, suffering 3 knockdowns over 10 rounds.
In the first round an overhand right followed by a left from Cobb and down went Hooker for an 8-count from Referee Laurence Cole. In the second round again Cobb landed a straight left on the chin and down went Hooker for another 8-count. Seconds later another left on the chin and down went Hooker for a third time for another 8-count.
In the third round Hooker came back well but not enough to take the round. In the fourth round Hooker chased Cobb for most of the round though Cobb landed a right hook rocking him in the final minute. In the fifth round again Hooker chased and landed enough to take the round.
In the sixth round an accidental clash of heads caused a cut on the left eyebrow of Cobb. In the final seconds a right hook from Cobb got the attention of Hooker who chased Cobb for most of the round. In the seventh round Cobb ended with a right on the chin of Hooker.
In the eighth round Cobb missed a left and clashed into the head of Hooker. Hooker continued to follow Cobb around the ring. In the tenth and final round Cobb moved around the ring with Hooker following being countered on occasions.
Scores were 97-90 twice and 96-91.
Super Lightweight Alex “Chi-Town Heat” Martin, 18-4 (6), of Calumet City, IL, came off the canvas todefeat Henry “Hank” Lundy, 31-10-1 (18), of Philadelphia, PA, over 10 rounds.
In the first round an overhand left from Lundy stunned Martin and a following left knocked him down for an 8-count from referee Coles. Martin managed to get to the bell. In the fifth round Martin got back into the fight overtaking Lundy who was not fighting back enough to take a round.
In the sixth through the tenth it was Martin out fighting an exhausted Lundy who caused too many clinches.
Scores 98-92 and 97-92 twice.
Super Middleweight southpaw Bektemir Melikuziev, 10-1 (8), #171, of UZB, and Indio, CA, knocked out Sladan “The Miner” Janjanin, 32-12 (24), #168, of Prijedor, B&H, and Boston, MASS., at 2:18 of the third round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round a liver shot from Melikuziev thirty seconds into the round and down went Janjanin for an 8-count from Referee Neal Young. Somehow he lasted the round. In the second round a left followed by a right and down went Janjanin for a second time arising immediately. Again he managed to get through the round.
In the third round a body shot from Melikuziev and down went Janjanin for a third time from a liver shot. In the final minute the referee finally called a halt.
19 year-old Lightweight Floyd Schofield, 11-0 (9), of Austin, TX, defeated southpaw Rodrigo “Gatito” Guerrero, 26-15-2 (16), of Mexico City, MEX, after 5 rounds of a scheduled 8 rounds.
Schofield scored knockdowns in the third and fourth rounds. Guerrero’s corner halted the fight after 5 rounds.
Ring Announcer Jerimiah Gallegos.