Former world champion Jessie Magdaleno (27-1, 18 KOs) scored a ninth-round technical decision win over former world title challenger Rafael Rivera (27-4-2, 18 KOs) in the co-main event Saturday at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
Magdaleno caught an elbow to the side of his eye that opened a nasty cut. The ringside doctor told referee Thomas Taylor it was too severe to continue.
Official scores at the time of the stoppage were 88-82 two times and 89-81, all in favor of Magdaleno.
“This is part of the sport,” said Magdaleno after the bout. “It’s boxing, it happens. I felt strong. We came in here and fought smart. He’s a warrior.”
Seconds into the ninth round, Magdaleno dropped Rivera with a left hook. In the seventh round, Rivera almost went down after Magdaleno rocked him with several big shots.
The fight opened with solid action as both fighters exchanged combinations in the middle of the ring. Magdaleno was aggressive early, but Rivera started walking him down in the third round. An accidental clash of heads caused a cut over Magdaleno’s nose.
Rivera had Magdaleno against the ropes and landed hard shots in the fourth round. In the fifth, Magdaleno was hit in the back of the head with a punch and an elbow. The southpaw went down to the canvas, but Taylor did not deduct a point for the foul.
Magdaleno told Crystina Poncher in the post-fight interview that he wants another world title shot.
“We are ready for whoever is next,” said Magdaleno. “We want them all.”
Magdaleno, who is ranked No. 3 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBC, defeated Rico Ramos by unanimous decision in his last fight back in March.
