Mexican warrior Jaime Munguia (32-0, 26 KOs) and Japanese contender Takeshi Inoue (13-1-1, 7 KOs) battled for 12 grueling rounds on Saturday, January 26 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The fight was streamed live on DAZN–which is just $9.99 per month after a one-month free trial.
The undercard for this event featured several fighters from the Golden Boy Promotions stable, including three fighters who call Texas their home.
In the co-main event, Jesus Rojas (26-2-2, 19 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico put his WBA Featherweight World Championship on the line against Chinese contender Xu Can (10-0, 1 KO) in a 12-round clash.
Can came out victorious in a hard-fought battle against Rojas.
One of boxing’s best up-and-coming fighters, Vergil Ortiz Jr. made his return to the ring and secured his 12th straight stoppage win to improve to 12-0.
Alex Rincon and brother George Rincon of Dallas, Texas both botched victories as well.
Check out the full fight-card results below.
Jaime Munguia vs. Takeshi Inoue
Jaime Munguia scores a hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision over Takeshi Inoue.
Jesus M Rojas vs. Can Xu
Can Xu defeats Jesus Rojas by unanimous decision to earn the WBA title.
Scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 118-110.
Jesus Rojas:
“I don’t feel the decision was correct. I don’t know what to say. I’m surprised. I spoke to GBP, and I want the rematch. I think we worked well, I used my jab and I want the fight. Of course I want the rematch.
Xu Can:
On his win, “This is my second time coming to the USA to fight. Before I came here, I knew it was going to be a very hard fight. So I got ready for this fight. I did a lot of work for this. So, thank you to everyone. I respect my opponent, Rojas, my friend, he’s very tough. But I knew I can win. I can, I can!”
Where did the power come from? “It’s from China. I am Chinese! I knew I can defeat this fighter, I knew I can defend his punch, even though he’s very strong. I just punched and punched and punched.”
Who does he want next? “I’m not scared of anyone.”
Alberto Ezequiel Melian vs. Edgar Ortega
Two-time Olympian Alberto Melian stops Edgar Ortega in Round 10 via TKO. Melian improves to 4-0.
“I was working the distance. I knew he was strong,” said Melian. “When I found my distance, then I imposed myself more. That’s how I got the knockout at the end. This is about patient work, so if the knockout comes, then it comes. We had great preparation at Churchill Boxing in Santa Monica.”
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jesus A Valdez Barrayan
Vergil Ortiz Jr. continued his stoppage streak against Jesus Valdez Barrayan to improve to 12-0, 12 KOs.
Alex Rincon vs. Jeremy Ramos
Alex Rincon went the distance for the first time in his career as a game Jeremy Ramos hung tough through six rounds.
Rincon won a clear unanimous decision with scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 to improve to 6-0, 5 KOs.
“Honestly I would give myself a B-,” said Rincon. “This guy was tough, he didn’t fold and I give him credit for that. I was trying to take the opportunities when they came.”
“I felt real good in there. I brought the fans from back home, and we have a lot of family here. Now everyone knows who the Rincon brothers are. Ramos was very awkward. When you catch him with hard shots, he comes back harder. We stuck to the game plan, and that’s why we won.”
George Rincon vs. Emmanuel Valadez
George Rincon, the older brother of fellow Golden Boy Promotions prospect, Alex Rincon, wasted no time in lighting up Emmanuel Valdez.
Rincon got Valadez trapped in a corner and landed a barrage of punches which forced the referee to stop the bout giving Rincon the win. Ricon improved to 6-0.
“I feel good. I went in there trying not to rush,” said Rincon. “There’s never an opponent who is not dangerous because we are all out here fighting to provide for those we love and entertain those we don’t. He didn’t make it out of the first round, so I’m happy with that.”
Header photo by Amanda Westcott/DAZN
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