After a night full of showcase bouts, Luis Ortiz (22-0, 19 KOs) scored a first round technical knockout victory over Lateef Kayode (20-1, 16 KOs) to win the interim WBA World Heavyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The scheduled twelve-round bout, which was the main event of a card presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Fox Sports 1, couldn’t be described as having an anti-climatic end as the entire night was full of bouts meant to keep very talented fighters in shape for more lucrative fights.
Ortiz is an excellent example, who could find himself fighting against the winner of the WBC Heavyweight title fight between Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder.
Ortiz’ knockout power will play a factor in his future fights, as it did tonight against Kayode, who was dropped by a powerful right hand in the first round.
In round two, Ortiz looked for the kill, landing a fusillade of punches while Kayode did his best to cover up in the corner.
Referee Robert Byrd was forced to stop the fight, but at an inconvenient moment: as soon as he called the fight, Kayode finally started punching back and showing some life.
Unfortunately for Kayode, the flurry was enough to merit a stoppage as Ortiz, a 35-year-old native of Camaguey, Cuba, continues his undefeated streak.
Jesus Cuellar (24-1, 18 KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Lopez (34-5, 31 KOs)
AND STILL undefeated @JesusCuellarBOX by the way of KO! #GoldenBoyLIVE pic.twitter.com/GhQbUO7ICT
— GoldenBoyPromotions (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 12, 2014
In the co-main event, Jesus Cuellar knocked out Juan Manuel Lopez in the second round of a scheduled 12-round fight to retain his interim WBA World Featherweight title.
Cuellar made quick work of a shot Lopez, landing hard powershots in the first round before knocking out Lopez with a solid combination to Lopez’s chin.
Cuellar is the latest fighter to join trainer Robert Garcia’s stable and made a statement to the Featherweight division.
The 25 year-old-native of Buenos Aires, Argentina raises his stock in a division that includes the likes of Johnny Gonzalez, Nonito Doniare, and Vasyl Lomachenko, while Lopez, a 31-year-old Boricuan, must seriously consider retirement after several knockout losses in his career.
Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) vs. Norberto Gonzalez (20-5, 13 KOs)
#TKO Thanks to my fans. #LionsOnly pic.twitter.com/mV3BduFT12
— Jermall Charlo (@FutureOfBoxing) September 12, 2014
Jermall Charlo scored a seventh-round TKO victory over Norberto Gonzalez in a scheduled ten-round Middleweight fight.
Charlo, who was scheduled to face Carlos Molina for Molina’s IBF Light Middleweight title in March but was unable due to Molina’s immigration issues, now has two stay-busy fights under his belt.
Charlo was sharp for the entire fight, easily landing jabs and right hands before finally stopping Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was game for the entire fight, but was clearly outgunned, looking at his corner for help so that they’d finally throw in the towel.
Charlo will seek to fight Molina after Molina’s title defense against Cornelius Bundrage later on this year.
Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) vs. Noe Bolanes (20-11-1, 16 KOs)
Couldn't handle the truth — #easywork pic.twitter.com/6tUYR3vEX0
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) September 12, 2014
Errol Spence Jr. scored a second-round technical knockout victory over Noe Bolanes in a scheduled eight-round Light Middleweight fight.
Spence Jr. was sharp while he was allowed to work, but Bolanes could not continue into the third round after suffering an injury in his left hand.
Spence Jr., 24-year-old native of Desoto, Texas, USA who is considered to be the most promising prospect out of the 2012 Olympic team, continues his undefeated rise in the Welterweight division.
Julian Williams (17-0-1, 10 KOs) vs. Eliezer Gonzalez (14-1, 9 KOs)
@Jrockboxing with "9/11/2011" on top and "Never Forget" on his red, white & blue trunks with stars. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/NSbsZUmjqo
— Jessica Rosales (@JessRosales1) September 12, 2014
Julian Williams scored an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Eliezer Gonzalez in a Light Middleweight fight.
Gonzales brought no problems for Williams, as he was outboxed and outlanded by Williams for the entire fight.
William ended a three-fight knockout streak by cruising to a decision with scores of 80-72 by all three judges.
The 24-year-old native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will now seek to fight tougher bouts in a division that includes Canelo Alvarez, Erislandy Lara, and Demetrius Andrade.
Josesito Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) vs. Rafael Cobos (15-5-5, 3 KOs)
Once again congrats to @JosesitoLopez on his UN win against Rafael Cobos! #GoldenBoyLIVE @FOXDeportes @FOXSports1 pic.twitter.com/t121Smvq5J
— GoldenBoyPromotions (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 12, 2014
In the first televised bout, Josesito Lopez scored an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Rafael Cobos in the Welterweight division.
Lopez, a 30-year-old native of Riverside, California, is intent on putting his career on the right track after losses to Canelo Alvarez in 2012 and Marcos Maidana in 2013. Lopez went into the fight on a two-fight win streak and eyed Amir Khan as a possible opponent in the future.
However, his performance against Cobs could have been better as Lopez was the more experienced and stronger of the two fighters. All judges scored the bout 80-72 for the “Riverside Rocky.”
