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 via 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 beginning, the hunger that I have to triumph, to be better and to move forward was apparent. I gave my heart, and it shows,” mentioned Espinoza.
“I like throwing punches and displaying folks what they wish to see, which is motion. That is why I went ahead as quickly as the primary spherical started.
“I’m here. It’s my time. The time of ‘El Divino.’ I want to unify, and I want the big 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 resolution.
After months of trash discuss, 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 fingers to Nova’s head and physique, and was profitable with a proper uppercut on the within.
Nova began to seek 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 tough competitor. He just went 12 rounds with a world champion. So, I knew it would be a tough one,” mentioned Cortes.
“He called me a dirty fighter, but he was really dirty in there. All these headbutts and stuff. But it was a good fight. No excuses. I dug deep and got the victory.”
Nova mentioned, in response: “I started a bit slow. But then I got my rhythm. I went in there, and I did what I had to do. He hit me a lot behind the head.
“That is boxing. All I’ve obtained to go is again to the drafting board, repair a few issues and are available again.”
Isley wins battle of former amateur rivals
Troy Isley (13-0, 5 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact as he scored a unanimous decision 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 split four fights as amateurs but as professionals, it was Isley’s constant aggression and intelligent boxing that put him ahead.
Martinez resorted to low blows in the seventh round, getting a point deducted, and Isley followed suit in the ninth round.
Martinez tried a late surge in the final two rounds but Isley remained ahead to claim the victory.
“His two wins over me as an novice meant nothing. The expertise hole confirmed. We’re on to larger 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 conquer 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 resolution 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 Prime Rank debut and coasted to a unanimous resolution 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.
