Saturday, July 13, 2019, Ronny Rios (31-3, 15 KOs) of Santa Ana, California defeated previously unbeaten Diego De La Hoya(21-1, 13 KOs) with a knockout in the sixth round.
Rios secured the biggest victory of his career and also captured the NABF title as well as the vacant WBA gold Super Bantamweight title in the co-main event of the Rey Vargas vs. Tomoki Kameda bout at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The fight card was presented by Golden Boy Promotions and streamed live on DAZN.
“It is an unbelievable feeling,” said Rios after the bout. “Especially winning in front of my friends and family who came out to support me.”
Rios and De La Hoya traded heavy punches in the third round, which was a close round. The fourth continued with non-stop action.
“To be honest with you”, said Rios. “I think a lot of fighters tend not to focus too much on the mental side. I think this time, I felt very hungry and mentally focused. With other fights, I think I would overthink it and let it get to my head.”
Both fighters landed heavy punches in the sixth round. Rios landed a head-to-body combination that dropped De La Hoya.
Ronny Rios gives Diego De La Hoya his first professional loss! 👊#WatchOnDAZN pic.twitter.com/6kBYs4ApFm
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) July 14, 2019
De La Hoya beat the count, but the referee waived off the fight after De La Hoya said he didn’t want to continue.
“I told him that I didn’t feel good,” said De La Hoya. “I don’t know what it was. I was hurt in my head. I didn’t feel well. I didn’t feel right. I did my best camp possible and I didn’t do that in the ring. You have to accept the losses just like you accept the wins.”
