Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza defended his featherweight WBO title for the primary time with a fourth-round TKO over Mexican countryman Sergio Chirino.
Espinoza began confidently, dropping Chirino within the opening spherical, and once more within the third spherical earlier than sealing the match with a knock-out within the fourth spherical.
The 6’1″ featherweight destroyer (25-0, 21 KOs) despatched Chirino to the canvas within the first spherical with a counter left hand.
Within the third spherical, Espinoza unleashed a proper hand that almost despatched his compatriot by means of the ropes.
That quickly signalled the start of the top with a flurry of photographs as Chirino (22-12, 13KOs) hit the deck for the ultimate time.
“From the start, the starvation that I’ve to triumph, to be higher and to maneuver ahead was obvious. I gave my coronary heart, and it exhibits,” mentioned Espinoza.
“I like throwing punches and displaying folks what they need to see, which is motion. That is why I went ahead as quickly as the primary spherical started.
“I am right here. It is my time. The time of ‘El Divino.’ I need to unify, and I need the large challenges.”
Cortes Edges Nova
Andres “Savage” Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs) dug deep within the junior light-weight co-feature to beat former world title challenger Abraham Nova (23-3, 16 KOs) by unanimous choice.
After months of trash speak, the motion was tense in a good match-up.
Cortes took an early lead within the opening rounds pushing ahead from a excessive guard to attach hooks and proper arms to Nova’s head and physique, and was profitable with a proper uppercut on the within.
Nova began to search out his rhythm as Cortes started to tire within the eighth spherical, and shocked Cortes with an overhand proper within the ninth spherical.
Nova’s spirited late surge was not sufficient although, with Cortes scoring 97-93, 2x and 96-94.
“I knew he was a tricky competitor. He simply went 12 rounds with a world champion. So, I knew it will be a tricky one,” mentioned Cortes.
“He referred to as me a grimy fighter, however he was actually soiled in there. All these headbutts and stuff. However it was a great struggle. No excuses. I dug deep and acquired the victory.”
Nova mentioned, in response: “I began a bit gradual. However then I acquired my rhythm. I went in there, and I did what I needed to do. He hit me so much behind the top.
“That is boxing. All I’ve acquired to go is again to the drafting board, repair a few issues and are available again.”
Isley wins battle of former newbie rivals
Troy Isley (13-0, 5 KOs) saved his unbeaten file intact as he scored a unanimous choice over Javier Martinez (10-1-1, 3 KOs).
Isley secured the North American Boxing Organisation (NABO) title with scores of 97-91, 2x and 96-92.
The pair had break up 4 fights as amateurs however as professionals, it was Isley’s fixed aggression and clever boxing that put him forward.
Martinez resorted to low blows within the seventh spherical, getting a degree deducted, and Isley adopted swimsuit within the ninth spherical.
Martinez tried a late surge within the closing two rounds however Isley remained forward to assert the victory.
“His two wins over me as an newbie meant nothing. The expertise hole confirmed. We’re on to greater issues now. I need the champions quickly,” mentioned Isley.
Different outcomes
Bantamweight: Floyd Diaz (12-0, 3 KOs) earned his second victory of the 12 months with an eight-round factors overcome Mexican veteran Francisco Pedroza (18-12-2, 10 KOs).
Scores: 78-73, 3x.
Junior Light-weight: DJ Zamora III (13-0, 9 KOs) authored a workmanlike unanimous choice win over Jose Antonio Meza (9-10, 2 KOs) following eight rounds of sustained motion.
Scores: 80-72, 2x and 79-73.
Junior Bantamweight: Steven Navarro (2-0, 1 KOs) dazzled in his High Rank debut and coasted to a unanimous choice victory over Juan Pablo Meza (7-4, 2 KOs).
Scores: 60-54, 3x.
Middleweight: Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) stopped Richard Acevedo (6-1-1, 5 KOs) within the third spherical of a scheduled six-rounder.
