DeSoto native and former unified 147-pound world champion Errol "The Truth" Spence is rumored to return to the ring at AT&T Stadium in Arlington against unified Jr Middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora of Coachella, California. Fundora captured the WBC and WBO belts when he narrowly outpointed Tim Tszyu back in March. He was immediately linked to a fight with the Desoto native. That seems to be the next stop. The promoter of Fundora, Sampson Lewkowicz, acknowledged they preferred a fight with Spence, as opposed to the former undisputed welterweight champ Terence Crawford, who badly beat and stopped Spence last July. Lewkowicz acknowledged that despite the loss Spence is a better ticket seller than Crawford, and the Spence fight at AT&T Stadium is a larger event. The fight is being rumored to be held in the fourth quarter of this year, which aligns with Spence's fight schedule of fighting once every year and a half or so. Spence fought in September of 2019, then again in December of 2020. He then fought in the Spring of 2022,before returning to the ring in July of 2023, when he was stopped by Crawford. So Q4 of 2024 would make a lot of sense for his return.
Two Of Texas's Best Shine in Vegas
Two of the pound-for-pound best fighters Texas has to offer were on the undercard of Canelo vs Munguia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. " El Azteca" Mario Barrios of San Antonio and Weslaco's "The Heartbreaker" Brandon Figueroa, were successful in defending their interim WBC titles. Barrios dropped and battered Fabian Maidana, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana of Argentina. WBC interim welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios got off to a quick start, and an overhand right in the third sent Maidana tumbling to the canvas. Barrios, trained by Bob Santos, continued to box behind the jab and in complete control throughout the scheduled 12-rounder. It was the Texan that was putting round after round in the bank, but Barrios's right eye was swelling badly from the left hand of Maidana. Barrios had suffered from badly swollen eye issues in the past, and it became a race against time. Could Barrios, who was in complete control, have his badly swollen eye make it to the final bell? Barrios was unphased and continued to pour in right hands and kept Maidana away with his jab as he rolled to a wide unanimous decision by scores of 116-111 X3. El Azteca 29-2 (18), and successfully defended his interim welterweight strap. It is expected that Barrios will be elevated to full champion and will likely fight Eimantas Stanionis next. However, that is not confirmed.
Also on the card was WBC Interim Featherweight champion Brandon Figueroa. The Heartbreaker is now 27 years old and was able to move his record to 25-1-1 (19) by stopping 32-year-old former world champion Jessie Magdaleno in nine rounds. Late In the ninth round, Figueroa drove Magdaleno back into the ropes and landed with a thudding left hook to the liver of Magdaleno, sending him to the canvas and unable to continue. It was the 19th KO of The Weslaco native's career. The official time was 2:59 of round nine. The RGV native overcame a sluggish start Figueroa really got cooking in round five and had his man in the ropes and trouble, and Magdaleno was seemingly saved when a borderline punch was ruled low. Figueroa was undeterred and got back to work drove his foe into the ropes into the sixth, and unleashed a combination that had Magdaleno in the world of trouble. Magdeleno was never able to gain the momentum back in his favor, and the relentless style was just too much to overcome as Figeroa did not let off the gas until he finally ended the show in the ninth.
Joel Martinez and Jake Ysasi Shine in Opening Of KO Live
At the Opening of KO! Live in Arlington undefeated super featherweight prospect Joel "The Owl" Martinez made a statement in the evening's co-main event. The long, rangy. 6'1 Southpaw, KO artist looked sharp in his return to the ring. Martinez who fights out of FHG Gym in Fort Worth, started patiently working behind a southpaw jab and stalked patiently until he found his opening late in the first round just after the 10-second clap Martinez unleashed on his opponent, Kendall Wardt with a body shot that sent him into the corner, and unleashed on him dropping him to a knee just before the bell. Ward got to his feet and started the second round, however, the writing was on the wall. Martinez, who was fighting with an injured left hand, was fighting with just a left hand hurt ward again with a right hook to the body that he put a left hand behind. Martinez trapped Ward into the ropes again and unloaded on him and a massive right hook put the outmatched Ward on the canvas for a final time, giving Martine the win, who has now won two fights in a row both by stoppage since his draw with Sean Brewer last summer. The Fort Worthian improved his record to 5-0-1 (3).
Jake Ysasi. of Grand Prairie closed the show well in the main event and took care of Sean Hamilton of El Paso to move his record to 8-0 (2) in a scheduled four-rounder. Ysasi took a clear-cut decision and looked impressive in picking up his second consecutive win since his year-and-a-half layoff. Ysasi applied pressure brilliantly, and let his hands go, hurting Hamilton several times throughout the scheduled four-rounder. Ysasi continued to march forward despite several dirty tactics from Hamilton, including picking the Grand Prairie native up and dropping him on the canvas at one point. Hamilton hung tough and held on when needed, but Ysasi was far too classy and far too skilled as he closed the show in fashion and stayed aggressive throughout as he took the one-sided decision by scores of 40-36 and 39-37X2.
Also on the undercard was Arlington native Briana Carrera, who made her pro debut a successful one. A single right-hand dropped and stopped Jessie Clark in under one minute of the opening round. Carrera's record stands at 1-0 (1).
Vazquez Bounces Back from Controversial Loss: Ephraim Bui Scores KO of the Year
Edward "Kid" Vazquez, of Fort Worth, suffered a controversial loss to IBF 130-Pound champ Joseph Cordina, this past November, and after a rough opening round Vazquez, showed no rust or hangover from the tough decision loss. Just a minute or so into the bout, Daniel Bailey, a massive betting underdog from Florida, had the best moment of the night, momentarily rocking Vazquez with a right-left combination that backed up and wobbled the north Texan. Vazquez stayed in the pocket and fought until he was out and survived the storm and seized control of the fight. By round three, Vazquez was in control, applying pressure and outworking and outlanding the Floridian. Kid Vazquez dominated the second half of the fight, wobbling Bailey in the fifth and completely seizing all momentum. Bailey was in trouble again in the eighth courtesy of a rocket right hand from the Texan. Vazquez remained in control for the final six minutes to secure the lopsided unanimous decision victory by scores of 78-74, 78-74, and 79-73 for Vazquez, who improved to 16-2 (3). Post-fight, Vazquez commented on his performance, “It took about a minute or two, but once I got those cobwebs out, I was ready to go and I found a rhythm, and I started to walk him down, break him down. He didn’t have too much power, so once I felt his best shot, I was like, it’s just time to press forward and just try to get him out of there. We broke his will and it just fed right into our hands.”
Vazquez is expected back in the ring in the near future to take a step-up fight to get back in the world title picture.
In the co-main event, Ephraim Bui brought the crowd to their feet and scored a brutal KO of Ernie Cuevas. Bui, an undefeated Super Flyweight from Houston, moved to 9-0 (8) with a fifth-round KO that shocked the crowd. After four-plus competitive rounds that the Houstonian was getting the better of, he saw his opening, and, boy did he ever seize it. The southpaw from Houston fired a single left hand just more than a minute into the 5th that put Cuevas old cold for a prolonged period. Giving Bui the 5th-round stoppage. Ephriam has been linked to Laredo-based prospect Jaime Jasso for an all-Texas shootout that would put the winner in an elite level of 115-pound prospects.
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Hugo Castaneda upsets Felix Garcia and Travis Crawford Shines in Laredo
Photo Credit: Counter Punch Media
Big-time boxing returned to The Gateway City, Laredo, Texas. The Same's Auto Arena has become synonymous with boxing, and the card it hosted Saturday was no exception. The undercard featured several highly competitive bouts and local fighters. Nicholas Molina of Laredo used precise power shots, right hands that rocked Manuel Martinez with one of his signature right hands early in the fifth that shook Martinez. Molina seized the moment and unleashed a barrage of power shots. Forcing the ref's hand to stop the fight and improving his record to 6-2-1 (5).
In another high-action undercard bout, Juan Garcia of Carrizo Springs was relentless in moving his record to 5-0 (2) and outpointing a game Gary Hampton of Fort Worth, who fell to 5-1 (0). Garcia stayed behind a high guard and attacked scoring with straight right hands and lead hooks he kept Hampton on the back foot. The Fort Worth native had moments in the fight with well-timed countershots. Garcia scored with a big left hook in the third that rocked the head of Hampton, and ultimately the judges preferred his aggression and precise power punching to the jab and counter shots of Hampton, taking the competitive decision by scores of 58-56 X2 and 59-55.
Explosive Laredo-based prospect Jaime Jasso was able to avenge his last professional defeat, a 2021 points loss to the skilled Guillermo Gutierrez of San Antonio, to move his record to 5-2 (0). In his first-ever scheduled 8-rounder, Jasso did not fade and got cooking in the second half. Brilliantly working angels and scoring with a barrage of power shots from every possible angle. The Laredo native had a noticeable speed advantage and used slick footwork and his speed advantage to avoid the artillery of the San Antonio native. Jasso fought brilliantly off the book to decide by scores of 78-74x2 and 77-75 to capture the WBC Flyweight Youth title.
Highly touted super middleweight prospect Daniel Blancas from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to 9-0 (4) and narrowly escaped with a split decision over Bruno Pola, originally of Mexico, who now fights out of San Antonio, Texas. Pola, a southpaw, consistently landed with his jab that set up big straight left hands and seemed to have better moments, he appeared to land the harder, cleaner shots. In a once in a lifetime moment, a double knockdown occurred in the opening round, both fighters scored with hooks, and both fighters dropped. It was a foreshadowing of how competitive and close the fight was going to be. Blancas marched forward and had some success on the inside, but early on Pola was able to keep him at bay and made his opponent pay every time he tried to get inside. Blancas kept charging forward trying to get on the inside and landed some clean shots but never really seemed to get on the inside/ Balncas did some of his best work in the fourth round and was able to score with a straight right that allowed him to get inside and do damage on the inside. However, Pola stood his ground and answered back. The rest of the night was back and forth nip and tuck with Blancas trying to get on the inside with Pola tagging him when he did at the end of the highly competitive eight-round affair, the judges slightly favored Blancas. The first two judges handed in reasonable scorecards of 77-75, one in favor of each man. The third judge, Eleazar Luna Bacahanded in a ridiculous 79-73 in favor of Bancas
Travis Crawford, the typically all-action slugger from Corpus Christi, used a bit more caution in moving his record to 7-2 (2) and scoring his seventh consecutive victory. Using his speed and reach advantage over the always-determined Alex Ramos of Laredo, who fell to 7-2 (3). Crawford used a sharp jab through the affair to keep Rmos from charging in and would put well-placed right hands behind it. Ramos kept competitive throughout. Marching forward and scoring with his jab and ripping off hard power shots, but it just wasn't enough as the hometown favorite dropped the decision to Crawford, who was just too sharp in the mid-range and long-range and had Ramos in a bit of trouble in the fifth with a well placed right hand. Crawford stayed in control and did just enough as he was consistently first and landed the cleaner, more eye-catching shots, and took a split decision by scores of 78-74 and 77-75, with the third judge favoring the aggressive work of Ramos by a score of 78-74
Just moments into the main event, Hugo Castaneda originally of McAllen, Texas, but was raised in Mexico, caught undefeated Laredo blue chip prospect Felix Garcia on the chin with a left hook that snapped his head back. Castaneda followed up with a hook to that body that took the wind out of Garcia. Another left hook came in and scored on the side of Garcia's head and buckled him. The assault was on, and Castaned let loose but stayed in control while gunning for the first-round stoppage. After a few more power shots scored on the button, referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia stepped in and waived the bout to halt at the 1:19 mark of the first round to give the Laredo prospect his first loss and move Castaneda to 14-1-1 (10) and take home the WBC Youth Super featherweight title. Castaneda captured the WBO youth title in late 2022.
Championship Boxing Returns to Laredo
Laredo is quickly emerging as one of the great fight cities in the country, and big-time boxing will return to the Gateway City on April 20th. The Sames Auto Arena will host several title fights including, Laredo's own Felix "Gatito" Garcia, 8-0 (1), who puts his undefeated record against McAllen native Hugo Castaneda, 13-1-1 (9), for the vacant WBC Youth Super featherweight title. Castaneda, who previously captured the WBO super featherweight title by stopping Maykol Mendoza late in 2022, will take a massive step in competition for Garcia. The Laredo native, who just turned 18 and has been a pro for two years, is one of the brightest young prospects anywhere in the sport.
The card also features an all-action, can't miss, fan-friendly slugfest between hometown favorite Alex "Bazooka" Ramos 7-1 (3), who is riding a five-fight win streak since his lone career loss to undefeated prospect Javier Fernandez in 2021. He will battle emerging prospect Travis Crawford from nearby Corpus Christi, Crawford 6-2 (2). Crawford got off to a 0-2 start in his career, dropping contests to a pair of highly touted prospects in Xavier Bocanegra of Donna, Texas, and Ronny Reyes. He has blown away everyone in his path since, winning six fights in a row. Both the Texas state title and the WBC Youth lightweight title will be on the line.
All-world prospect Daniel Blancas will also be in action, the 8-0 (4), all-world prospect who is projected to be a future world champion will take on hard-hitting Mexican KO artist Bruno Pola, 7-2-1 (6), who looks to bounce back from his loss to Fort Worth-based prospect Malik Calhoun both the ABF and WBC Youth titles are at stake.
Two other bouts of note that will be held on this exciting Pound 4 Pound card. In a showdown between undefeated featherweights for an ABF strap, Carrizo Springs native Juan Garcia, 4-0(2), will take on Gary Hampton, 5-0 (0) of Fort Worth. Hampton has beaten undefeated fighters in each of his last two fights. Plus Laredo native Jaime Jasso, 4-2 (0), will look to revenge his 2021 loss to San Antonio native Guillermo Gutierrez, 10-0 (1), in a very close and competitive fight. Both fighters have shown vast improvements over the last 2+ years, and this one promises to be as competitive and exciting as the first fight.
Ramon Cardenas Returns Wednesday in Florida
Surging San Antonio-based Super Bantamweight contender Ramon "Dinimita" Cardenas returns to the ring this Wednesday on the PROBOX TV Series, in Plant City. Florida. He last fought on the same series, back in February, and stopped Israel RodriguezPicazo in six rounds. Cardenas has scored consecutive highly impressive KOs on big cards and has gotten himself into the world title picture at 122 pounds. A win on Wednesday over Jesus Ramirez Rubio would inch the Alamo City native one step closer to realizing his world title goals. Rubio took a step up back in 2022 and was stopped by Nick Ball in one round. He bounced back from that and won his only fight of 2023 by stopping a fighter by the name of Felipe Carlon Lopez in seven rounds to run his record to 22-2-3 (16). Cardenas currently has a 24-1 (13) record and has won 12 fights in a row.
Pork Chop Scores Massive Upset, King Julian and King John Rule in Home Coming fights
Irving native Alejandro "Pork Chop" Guerrero got the action started for the Texas-based fighters in the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi Christi. Pork Chop scored a massive upset over the newly signed Top Rank prospect and heavy-betting favorite Jalan Walker. The Texan worked behind a jab and marched forward a shotgun right-hand, another right-hand dropped walker in the fourth, and the Irving native who now makes his home in Houston unleashed in the fifth. One particular hook again wobbled Walker badly. After Guerrero was ruled down from a barrage in the fifth, Pork Chop got his bearings back and went back to work. He dominated the end of the 6th and rallied with the right hand and hard body shots. Guerror drove Walker up against the ropes in the seventh and again unleashed on him. The Texan put together one more barrage and forced Walker's corner to step in and stop the fight. The bout was officially waved to a halt at 1:35 of the seventh round.
Corpus Christi native John Rincon improved to 9-0(2) by outpointing Yaniel Alvarez of Cuba. Rincon received a massive applause from his hometown faithful as he walked to the ring. He stayed patient and worked behind his southpaw jab, controlling the ring. A huge straight left had Alvarez wobbled in the fourth. Moments later, King Rincon scored with a beautifully placed uppercut as well. The hometown fighter countered with brilliant straight lefts throughout the fight. Entering the sixth and final round, it appeared he was well in complete control, and Alvarez pushed forward aggressively. Coming after Rincon, the Corpus Christi native sat back and used the ring scoring with clean counter shots a, straight left at around the midway point snapped the head back of Alvarez an uppercut wobbled Alvarez just moments later. In what turned out to be a fan-friendly affair Rincon rolled to an easy points victory 59-55, 58-56, and a ridiculous 55-55. Rincon picked up the majority decision and moved to 9-0(2)
In the final fight on the preliminary portion, hometown-hero, Julian Delgado made his pro debut a successful one, taking a four-round unanimous decision over Juan Tames of Laredo, who dropped his record to 1-1. The official scores were 40-36 x2 and 39-37 all in favor of the Corpus Chisti native. The much-anticipated debut from "King Julian" went smoothly after an epic ring entrance that brought the hometown fans to their feet. Delgado got cooking using his long jab and physical size advantage to create space and maintained that range with his jab. Delgado was able to control the range and pace of the fight but it wasn't all smooth sailing as Tamez, a southpaw, was able to score with straight lefts. Tamez tried to engage the Corpus Christi native into a slugfest, but the hometown hero stayed composed and used his skills and jab to control the remainder of the fight and take the well-earned decision.
In the evening main event, Jared "Big Baby" Anderson started quickly working behind his quick jab he was able to outland Ryah Merhy. Merhy had his first flash just moments into the second with a brilliant left hook. Merhy never followed up and kept his hands in a high defensive posture, refusing to let them go as Andrson scored with a jab and landed with a thudding body shot midway through round 3. The fight was marked by Merhy's unwillingness to throw his hands. Anderson fired off jabs and the occasional right hand and even switched to a southpaw stance in brief spots but could not get the reluctant Merhy to open up. Seemingly putting rounds in the bank, Merhy was giving the fight away. Boos poured in from the crows at Amercian Bank Arena. A clearly frustrated Anderson continued to fire the jab and take every round as it became clear as day his opponent was content with losing a decision and lose decision he did as scores came in for Anderson by scores of
In the chief support, we got the action we wanted in the main event as Italian Heavyweight Guido Vianello nearly stopped heavy favorite Efe Ajagba of Nigeria, who now lives and trains in Houston, Texas. Ajagba got nailed with a right hand from the Italian stallion that badly wobbled him, Vianello rushed in and smothered his own work, saving a badly wounded Ajagba who was saved by the bell and wandered into the wrong corner. Ajagba rallied back and controlled many of the middle rounds and switched to a southpaw stance in the 8th as Vianello was still throwing punches but had lost their snap and was the worst for wear as the fight reached the final rounds. Seeing his early lead slip away, Vianello gave it one last push in the final round. He scored with several clean right hands as he emptied his tank. However, it was just too little, too late as the judges preferred the work of Ajagba 96-94x2, with the third judge scoring for Vianello 96-94.
Mario Barrios and Brandon Figueroa added to Canelo Card in May
Cinco de Mayo weekend is long linked with boxing. The weekend has hosted major boxing events for decades. Most recently Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez has headlined the weekend. This year at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo Alvarez will put all four 168-pound world titles on the line against Jaime Munguia in an all-Mexican Showdown. The undercard will feature two former world champions from the Lone Star State. Former 140-pound world champion Mario Barrios, 28-2 (18), will defend his WBC interim welterweight title against Fabian Maidana, 22-2 (16). Barrios last fought in September and beat down former welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugas and took a wide decision in what was the best performance for the San Antonio slugger thus far.
Also on the card is former Super Bantamweight world champion Brandon Figueroa, 24-1-1 (18), who will end a 15-month layoff and battle Jessie Magdaleno. Figueroa has been out of the ring with promotional issues since his highly impressive March 2023 win over Mark Magsayo. The Weslaco native has a big challenge with Magdaleno, who held a super bantamweight world title from 2016-2018. He lost his last fight, a 12-round affair with Raymond Ford, who has since gone on to win a world title. That was in April of 2023 on the undercard of Bam Rodriguez vs Cristian Gonzalez card in San Antonio.
Tank Davis- Frank Martin June 22nd in Houston
Big-time boxing returns to Space City, USA, Houston, Texas. On June 22nd, The Toyota Center will play host to the mega lightweight showdown between two of the best fighters in the division as Gervonta "Tank" Davis, 29-0 (7) of Baltimore, Maryland, will return to the ring and end his 14-month layoff and take on Frank "The Ghost" Martin 18-0 (12). Davis last fought a year ago and stopped Ryan Garcia in the main event of a huge PPV card in Las Vegas. Davis headlined the Alamodome in San Antonio on Halloween 2020 and stopped Leo Santa Cruz. In the other corner is Martin, who originally hails from Indianapolis, Indiana, but now lives in, and trains in Dallas and works with legendary trainer and former " Trainer of the Year" Derrick James. "The Ghost" last fought in July and eked out a very competitive decision over Artem Harutyunyan.
Brownsville Native Omar Juarez Shines in Florida, Closes Show in Spectacular Fashion.
24-year-old 140-pound world title contender "El Relampago" Omar Juarez picked up a meaningful win last night in Plant City, Florida, as he outpointed, dropped Clarence Booth multiple times and nearly stopped him on his way to a clearcut unanimous decision victory by very lopsided scores of 98-90x2 and 99-91. Booth is a rugged opponent who came in off a tough fight with Kelvin Davis back in December. While Juarez, who moved his record to 15-2 (5), was 10-months removed from a highly controversial loss to Rances Barthelemy. The extended layoff had no effect on Juarez, who came out guns blazing and landed several clean right hands that snapped back the head of Booth, a Florida native. Juarez landed the cleaner, more effective shots throughout the fight, but Booth had moments landing clean shots on the inside that would cause the Texan to shell up at times. However, Juarez seized control of the fight late in the third when a pair of right hands stunned the Floridian. Falling behind on the cards, Booth picked up the pace in the fifth, but Juarez put on a counterpunching masterclass, and the bodywork really began to pay dividends for El Relampago as he started poring on power shots and dominated the final three rounds. Booth was running out of steam in the eighth, and Juarez poured on heavy shots. In the ninth, it appeared Juarez had an opportunity to stop Booth, who was badly wobbled from a clean counter shot was on shakey legs. Juarez nearly got the stoppage late in the final round. Racing against the clock with 45 seconds left, a vintage overhand right sent Juarez's opponent to the canvas for the first time. Just moments later Juarez, clearly going for the kill, landed the same shot and yielded the same result as Booth was on the mat for a second time. Booth got to his feet and on very weary legs, was perhaps inappropriately allowed to finish the final several seconds and make it to the final bell.
Schofield and Kalkreuth Come up Big in vegas
Two familiar Texans came up big in Las Vegas this weekend as 21-year-old "Kid Austin" Floyd Schofield won via a fifth round Disqualification in a bout that his opponent Esteuri Suero appeared as if he was looking to get him some DQs and eventually got what he wanted. Also, Dallas, area native Tristan Kalkreuth scored a vicious second-round KO of Marquice Weston. Kalkrreuth, a 22-year-old cruiserweight prospect, improved his record to 13-0 (10) in a scheduled eight-round bout. Kalkreuth ended the night early when he scored with a brutal left hand that put Weston down and out just past the midway point of the round. Kalkreuth sealed the deal and stuck the landing on one of his vintage backflips.
In the evening's co-main event, Kid Austin was looking to start 2024, where he left off in 2023, scoring sensational KOs. Suero was looking to make things dirty and get under the skin of Schofield. A head butt reddened the eye of the Texan in the opening round. In the second round, a shoulder from Suero to the midsection of Schofield cost the Dominican one point in the second. The dirty tactics didn't stop there. Schofield buckled his man with a left hook in the fourth. With Kid Austin clearly in control of the fight, Suero was looking for a way out and threw the shoulder yet again and then hit Schofield on the break to seal the deal and get the disqualification he was looking for. Throughout the 5 round affair, the 21-year-old stayed calm and in control, he never got frazzled as Schofield moved his record to 17-0 (12).
Omar Juarez gets new Opponent
Brownsville native "El Relampago" Omar Jaurez 14-2 (5), originally set to fight Luis Hernandez on Wednesday, March 27th, in Plant City, Florida, on the PROBOX TV main event. He will now face local fan favorite veteran Clarence Booth 21-9 (13). Booth has lost five fights in a row, including losing to West Texas native Michael Dutchover at the same venue where he will face Juarez. Prior to the five-fight losing streak, Booth had compiled a 21-4 record. Those four losses were all to high-level prospects, including Cletus Seldin, Maxim Dadashev, Sergey Lipinets, and Alex Saucedo. Booth last fought Kelvin Davis, also on PROBOX TV in Plant City, Florida.
Omar Juarez Returns on March 27th PROBOX TV Card
Brownsville favorite son Omar "El Relampago" Juarez is set to return to the ring on March 27th in Plant City, Florida, on a PROBOX TV card. The 24-year-old, who just became a father, will look to bounce back from the second controversial loss of his young and promising career. Last May the South Texan seemed to outwork and outland former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy. However, the judges scored for Barthelemy. The 10-month layoff will be the longest of the Juarez's career. The Brownsville native will get a chance to get back in the win column against a formidable opponent in, Luis Hernandez, 23-4 (20), of Chihuahua, Mexico. Hernandez, a rugged and hard hitting veteran, is best known for fighting fellow 140-pound title contender Lindolfo Delgado.t
Delgado finished Hernandez in just four rounds. So this fight will be a good metric for the RGV native. If Juarez scores a dominant win or stoppage over Hernandez, like Delgado did, he will keep apce and stay relevant in the world title picture. Hernandez, has fought in Texas once before and was narrowly outpointed by Houston native Quinton Randall at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The bout will air live on the PROBOX TV app.
Xander Zayas Confirms Vergil Ortiz Rumors
Grand Prairie native and undefeated Junior Middleweight Vergil Ortiz has had his name linked to several of the top guys at 154 pounds. Including world champion Tim Tszyu, that fight fell through as Tszyu inked a deal to meet up with former 147-pound unified champion Keith "One Time" Thurman in a mega fight scheduled for March 30th. That left the North Texan without a fight date. Rumors began circulating linking him with undefeated 154-pound prospect 21-year-old Xander Zayas of Puerto Rico. Zayas sports an 18-0 (12) record and appears well on his way to a world title fight. Zayas confirmed the rumors and said, "It would be a beautiful chapter to the Puerto Rico VS Mexic rivalry," and added, "Those Rumors may be true, and we can make that in the future. He just moved to 154. I am at 154. If I can stay at 154 and maybe get a title, we can make that fight in the future." Zayas went on to say that his next fight is already scheduled for June, on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade as he will square off with former world champion Patrick Teixeira at Madison Square Garden. Ortiz last fought in January, in Las Vegas, and stopped an outmatched Fredrick Laeson in one round to move his record to 20-0 (20). Another tune-up for Ortiz in May would make sense and would line the Puerto Rican and the Texan up perfectly for a fight in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Bam Rodriguez and Juan Francisco Estrada being Negotiated for the Summer
After Bam Rodriguez, 19-0 (12) of San Antonio, dismantled Sunny Edwards back in December 16th to become the unified Flyweight champion, he seemed eager and set on fighting legendary, pound-for-pound great and future Hall Of Famer Juan Francisco Estrada. That fight is now under negotiations and appears likely to happen according to inside sources. Rodriguez is expecting his first child, a daughter, in April, and the fight looks to be targeted for the summer, likely in July. No official date or location has been mentioned. Estrada, of Mexico, sports a 44-3 (28) record. He last fought 14 months ago and won the vacant WBC Super Flyweight by narrowly outpointing the legendary Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez. Estrada was criticized back in 2022 for apparently ducking Bam's older brother Joshua Franco after Golden Boy had won the purse bid and Estrada opted to vacate his WBA belt instead of squaring off with Franco and opting for largely unknown Argi Cortes. Following the Cortes fight, Estrada followed up and outpointed Chocolatito to win the WBC belt. That was ironically vacated by the San Antonian when he moved down to 112 pounds. Rodriguez will look to recapture the belt he vacated that was then won by the man who openly ducked his brother.
Ramon Cardenas Dominates, Stops Picazo in Florida
28-year-old "Dinamita" Ramon Cardenas is emerging as one of the premier 122-pounders in the world. The San Antonio native improved his record to 23-1 (12) after scoring his second upset stoppage victory in just five months. The 122-pound Texan stopped surging Mexican prospect Israel Rodriguez Picazo. Unlike Friday night's fight at the Garden between O'Shaquie Foster and Abraham Nova, the Cardenas and Picazo came out like gangbusters. Dinamita pressed forward but also selected beautiful corner shots with the right hand and left hook that continually landed on the button. Cardenas rocked Picazo to the body late in the second, and Picazo began to let off the gas just a little bit. Noticing Picazo didn't like the body shots. The San Antonian, began focusing on the body more and taking more and more steam out of his opponent. Cardenas caught Picazo low halfway through that frame. The fifth round saw some rough play as a low blow put Picazo to the floor, and the Mexican took a prolonged recovery period to gather himself. Just moments later, the two combatants collided heads, and both men got cuts. After the cuts, Picazo came out slinging once again to end the fifth. In the sixth, a massive right-hand scored from Cardenas literally knocked Picazo’s jaw out of whack. Unable to close his jaw following the end of the end, the doctor was called in to examine the damaged jaw, and the response when asked if the fight should be stopped was a resounding, “Oh dear, yes” The fight was immediately stopped, and Cardenas, was awarded the sixth-round TKO.
Orange Native O'shaquie Foster Retains Title Outpoints Abraham Nova at The Garden
O'Shanique Foster defends WBC Super Featherweight title against Abraham Nova SD12 round-by-round recap.
Round 1: Tentative first round, feeling out process. Both fighters start slow and look to get into a grove. Foster likely wins the battle of the jab 10-9 Foster
Round 2: Nova picks up the pace a little to start round two. Nova unleashes a few flurries and scores with some glancing combinations. Nova isn't landing all that clean, but he's out saying Foster and landing some shots. Foster looks a little hesitant not firing off in combinations. 10-9 Nova
Round 3: Foster turns southpaw and turns up the volume. The Texan lands with a flurry early in the round and begins backing Nova into the corner. Foster scored with a perfect counter left with about 20 seconds left in the round. 10-9 Foster
Round 4: Foster seemed to have figured a few things out and is scoring with the left from the southpaw stance. After a strong start from Foster Nova scored with a looping right hand that caught the attention of the champion. The challenger followed you with another right hand that backed Foster into the ropes. A left hand came in that again shook shock 10-9 Nova.
Round 5 Foster walked Nova back a bit with his jab. He scored with a nice clean 1-2 a minute into the round. After a brief clinch, Foster seemed to hurt his shoulder as he was shaking it off. Foster flickers a few jabs too, and is having success with landing the jab, but Nova was able to avoid most of the heavy artillery a nip and tuck round carried by Foster's Jab. 10-9 Foster.
Round 6: Foster switches back to the conventional stance. The injury is to his bicep and is affecting Foster's gameplan. The Texas tough champion immediately has success with a left hook scored with a 1-2 about 40 seconds in. He scored with a counter straight right that caught the attention of his opponent, but seconds later, Nova landed left hook of his own in another evenish round 10-9 Nova.
Round 7: Foster landed a flush left hook when Nova came charging in, but Nova reversed the tide and had Foster in the ropes. Chants of Foster, Foster, Foster, raining in during the seventh!!! He scored with a quick straight right. Not Having success with Foster in the ropes, another tough round to score! 10-9 Nova
Round 8: Foster starts quickly with a quick right uppercut on the inside followed by a flurry that drives the Puerto Rican back. Another left uppercut was scored moments later as the action really began to pick up. Foster and Nova exchange in the ropes late in the round 10-9 Foster.
Round 9: The pace begins to slow as perhaps Nova is fatiguing. A nice right hand from Foster came in during the middle of the round and another drove Nova back. Foster followed up with a crisp left hook late in the round. A clean round for Foster, who scored with clean shots and was virtually untouched 10-9 Foster
Round 10- Foster lands a three-piece to start the round. Foster gets the fight back into the long-range and has success with his jab. Nova is flurrying and trying to pick up the pace but Foster is just more accurate, landing clean shots Nova scored with a double right hand late in the stanza. Foster scored with a hook to the body and straight right to the hand in a very interesting round to score 10-9 Foster
Round 11- Shock is sharp shooting with the right hand. Nova had a nice flurry early in the round, that pushed the champion into the ropes. Nova really picked up the work rate with Foster against the ropes. Foster pivots out and lands with a barrage of power shots to steal the round back!!! A right hand caught the attention of the Puerto Rican. The Texan scored a left hook, and another right had Nova reeling for a moment. 10-9 Foster
Round 12- Nova fatigued but trying his hardest to flurry. The challenger knows he needs to win the final round. Nova pushes the pace trying his hardest to flurry, and his landing glancing blows, but Foster is selecting nice counter shots that are landing clean. Nova pushes forward as Foster lands a few counter shots with accuracy. A late knockdown from a left hook with less than 30 seconds sealed the deal for Foster and secured a two-point round for the champion. 10-8 Foster
Final score 116-111 Foster
Official Cards 114-113 Nova, 116-111 Foster, 115-112 Foster
Bozy Ennis says Barrios fight is A Go.
Everyone seems to want a piece of San Antonio-based welterweight and former 140-pound WBA World Champ Mario "El Azteca" Barrios since his upset of former welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas back in September. The 28-year-old San Antonian was long linked to a fight in Saudi Arabia with 140-pound world champion Devin Haney, who had his heart set on moving up to 147. The fight has not materialized, and with Haney having signed to fight Ryan Garcia on April 20th, the other major fight rumor involving the San Antonian may happen. According to Derek "Bozy" Ennis, the father and head trainer of IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, the fight between his son and Barrios looks like a go. Ennis's name has been in the news lately, after being awarded the IBF welterweight belt, he sued his promoter, "NOW Boxing Promotions." The elder Ennis alleges the promoter is "essentially holding Ennis hostage" and is seeking at least $ 1 million in damages. Enis, who was awarded the IBF welterweight title after it was stripped off of Terence Crawford in late 2023. Crawford won the strap from long-reigning champ Errol Spence of DeSoto in July. That belt could very well find its way back to Texas and around the waist of Barrios, who held the WBA 140-pound world tile from 2019 to 2021 and vacated that belt to move up to 147 pounds. Barrios will look to jin current WBO/IBF Flyweight champ Bam Rodriguez as the only two Alamo City natives to capture titles in multiple weight classes
Ramon Cardenas to Headline February 16th PROBOX TV Card
Ramon Cardenas, of San Antonio, said his second-round KO of Rafael Pedroza in the main event of a Showtime-televised card was a "star-making performance." It certainly did change a lot of things for the 28-year-old. It put the 122-pound division on notice, it moved the Alamo City native's record to 23-1 (12). It put him firmly in the world title picture and made him the leader in the clubhouse to be the next world champion from the 210. That sensational victory also set up his next fight. Cardenas will again hit the road and head to Florida, a state that he has fought in twice before and has gone 2-0 (1),and take on Israel Rodriguez Picazo in the main event of a Friday, February 16th, PROBOV TV card at the Whitesand’s Event Center in Plant City, Florida. Picazo, of Mexico City, Mexico, sports a 30-5 (20) record. Picazo dropped a decision to Mauricio Lara in 2016 and has won 15 fights in a row since his last loss, a 2019 points loss to Eduardo Baez in Mexico. Cardenas is currently ranked #6 by the WBA in the Super Bantamweight division. The Texan says he can still make 118 pounds if a world title shot becomes available at the weight class.