Photo by Ismael Gallardo/RBRBoxing
On February 19, 2016, Diego De La Hoya (14-0, 8 KOs) returned in exciting fashion as he scored a fourth-round knockout against Arturo Badillo (20-10, 18 KOs) at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, California.
The scheduled 10-round Featherweight fight headlined a sold out night of boxing promoted by Golden Boy Promotions that was televised on Estrella TV in the U.S.
De La Hoya, a 21-year-old native of Mexico, boxed easily in the opening rounds, landing quick one-twos and powerful counter shots.
In Round 4, however, as he controlled the action, De La Hoya landed a powerful left hook to Badillo’s liver, which immediately put Mexican 28-year-old down.
Badillo would not get up before the ten-count.
“At first, the excitement got the best of me and I was trying to look for a knockout but in the second round I realized I was going to play in to his game,” said De La Hoya.
“I decided to change the pace and take my time and just play to safe. By the third round, I realized he was getting tired and that’s when I decided to take advantage and dedicate the third round to knocking him out,” said De La Hoya.
In the co-main event, Carlos Morales scored a unanimous decision victory against Omar Tienda.
“I was hoping to knock him out in the 5th round but he proved to be a tough fighter and I had to outbox him,” said Carlos Morales, a 26-year-old native of Mexico.
Morales suffered a cut in the fight, but kept his composure and controlled the fight going into the later rounds.
“Even though he cut me up, I knew I was being effective with my punches and was breaking him down slowly. I know 2016 will bring opportunities for me in the ring,” said Morales.
Morales won with scores of 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91.
In the first televised fight, 19-year-old prospect Nick Arce scored a six-round unanimous decision victory against Luis Lizarraga Jr.
Arce did well when he controlled his distance with his jab and landed hard body shots, but was caught several times as he fought at close range.
Lizarraga was a tough guy who came to fight and forced Arce to work in every round. Nevertheless, Arce, a Los Angeles native, landed more shots in each round and walked away with scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55.
