By Ken Hissner: At the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello, Managua, Nicaragua, Friday over ESPN+ promoter Felix Tuto Zabala Jr. and Bob Arum (Top Rank), presented in the Main Event WBO Latino Light Flyweight Champion Rene “Chulo” Santiago coming from behind to stop previously unbeaten Kevin Vivas in the twelfth and final round.
In the main event, WBO Latino Light Fly champ Rene “Culo” Santiago, 12-3 (9), #107 ½, of Humacao PR, stopped Kevin Vivas, 7-1 (2), #107 ½, of Nindiri, NIC, at 1:18 of the twelfth and final round.
In the first three rounds, Vivas out-landed Santiago, having him holding on several times. In the seventh round, Vivas had Santiago holding on throughout with solid rights. In the eighth and ninth rounds, Vivas continued to have a slight edge.
In the tenth round, Santiago landed a combination and slipped to the canvas. Referee Tony Weeks has had his hands full with Santiago’s continuous holding. In the twelfth and final round, Santiago landed a solid jab that Vivas ran into the midsection, and down went Vivas for the count from Referee Weeks.
Welter Harvin “Manimal” Aguirre, 9-0 (6), #146 ½, of Panama City, PAN, defeated southpaw Israel ”El Destructor” Lopez, 11-4-1 (8), #146 ½, of Tipitapa, NIC, over eight rounds.
In the first five rounds, it was a wild swing brawl with Aguirre having an edge. In the seventh, Aguirre started running around the ring with his hands in the air, thinking it was the last round.
In the eighth and final round, it was Lopez out landing Aguirre, knowing he needed a stoppage to pull it out.
Light Fly Eduardo Ajito, 11-1 (5) #106 ½, of Callao, PERU, lost to Gerardo ‘Chocolate’ Sanchez, 9-1 (5), #107 ½, of Tegucigalpa, HON, over 8 rounds for vacant WBO Latino Jr Fly title.
In the first two rounds, Sanchez out-landed Ajito. In the third through the sixth rounds, Sanchez continued outworking Ajito.
In the seventh round, Sanchez had Ajito hurt several times with body shots. In the eighth and final round, Sanchez was all over the lack of defense of Ajito.
Scores were 78-74 twice and 80-72.
In a rematch, Light Fly Eveling “Colocha” Junieth Ortega, 6-4 (2), #107 ½, of Acoyapa, NIC, defeated Silvia Duran, 3-2 (2), #110, of San Jose, CR, over six rounds for vacant WBO Jr Fly title.
In the first three rounds, 40-year-old Duran had a slight edge as both boxers were going non-stop. In the fourth through the sixth rounds, it was Ortega coming back out, landing Duran.
Scores were 58-56 twice and 59-55.
Super Bantam Alex Vallecillo, 5-0 (5), #120, of Managua, NIC, stopped Christian “Dinamita” Jimenez, 5-1 (4), #121 ½, of San Salvador, El Salvador, in the second round of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, Jimenez landed a right on the chin of Vallecillo, knocking his head back at the bell. In the second round, a left hook from Vallecillo on the chin and down went Jimenez. He beat the count, but it was waved off.