Juarez Retains Women's WBC World Flyweight Championship With Decision Over Nery Plata

Credit: Harry Aaron/Most Valuable Promotions 

Press Release: October 19, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX – October 18, 2025 – In a thrilling and tightly contested ten-round world championship bout, Mexico’s WBC light flyweight world champion Lourdes “La Pequeña Lulu” Juarez (39-4, 5 KOs) successfully retained her title, earning a majority decision victory over MVP’s Yesica Nery Plata (30-3, 3 KOs)—the division’s #1 WBA contender and former unified champion—at Most Valuable Prospects 16 Championship Double Header from the South Padre Island Convention Center in Texas, streamed globally on DAZN. From the opening bell, the action was razor-close, with both champions trading sharp, clean combinations in a technical chess match. Juarez was briefly shoved in round seven but remained composed, matching Plata’s precision and pace through every exchange. After ten high-level rounds, the judges scored the bout 95-95, 96-94x2 in favor of Juarez, who retained her WBC light flyweight world title. Speaking with Sibley Scoles post-fight, Juarez thanked her supporters and praised Plata’s strength and performance in what was one of the night’s most competitive showdowns.

 

In the co-main event, Brownsville, Texas native Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez (20-2, 7 KOs) showcased his superior skill and ring IQ against Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Omar “The New Era” Rosario (14-3, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight clash at 140 lbs. The opening rounds were competitive, with both men trading crisp combinations, but Juarez quickly established himself as the sharper, more composed fighter. As the bout wore on, Juarez’s precision and timing broke down Rosario’s defense, and a late point deduction against Rosario further cemented Juarez’s control. After ten rounds, the judges unanimously scored it for Juarez (99-89x2, 97-91), marking a dominant and decisive victory.

On the main card, MVP’s Australian unified world champion Desley “Destroyer” Robinson (11-3, 4 KOs) lived up to her nickname, obliterating South Carolina’s Logan Holler (11-4-1, 4 KOs) to successfully defend her unified IBF and WBO middleweight world titles. Making her promotional debut with MVP, Robinson wasted no time asserting her dominance—unleashing a barrage of heavy combinations in the second round that shattered Holler’s defense and left her unable to continue. The referee stopped the contest at 1:08 of the 2nd round, declaring Robinson the winner by TKO and still the unified IBF and WBO middleweight world champion. The clinical display from the reigning champion earned Robinson the MVP Performance of the Night bonus presented by Caribe Royale.

Opening the main card, Boxlab Promotions’ rising 21-year-old Cuban standout Ronny Alvarez (5-0, 4 KOs) faced 26-year-old San Antonio prospect Bruno Pola (10-4-1, 9 KOs). Pola found early success with powerful combinations, but Alvarez adjusted and began to take control as the fight progressed, leveraging his explosive power to break down Pola. The referee stopped the contest at 2:28 in the fifth round, awarding Alvarez the victory by TKO. 

In a contentious preliminary card headliner, MVP and Dallas, Texas’s Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (15-5-1, 2 KOs) battled MVP’s Puerto Rican sensation Krystal Rosado (7-1, 2 KOs) in an 8-round bout at 118lbs. The former world champion Metcalf leveraged her longer reach to keep Rosado at distance in the early rounds, outlanding Rosado in power punches, while Rosado impressed with sharp, clean counters. After eight hard-fought rounds, the judges rendered a unanimous decision in favor of Metcalf (77-75, 78-74x2). 

Also on the preliminary card, MVP’s three-time U.S. National Champion and high-fashion model Alex “Chop Chop” Chaparro (6-0, 6 KOs) impressed once again, stopping Mexico’s David “El Verdugo” Gutierrez (4-1, 2 KOs) by TKO. Chaparro dictated the pace from the opening bell against the unorthodox Gutierrez, brushing off an illegal shot to the back of the head in round two before nearly scoring a knockout in the fifth. He closed the fight in emphatic fashion, overwhelming Gutierrez with a brutal combination, finishing with a ferocious uppercut at 0:25 of round six that sent Gutierrez to the mat for good. In an eight-round super lightweight showdown, Houston’s Miranda “La Alacrana” Reyes (8-3-1, 3 KOs) delivered a statement win over MVP’s Yolanda Vega (10-2, 1 KO). Reyes established her dominance with crisp combinations to outperform Vega, who suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the bout, and earn a unanimous decision win (79-73, 80-72x2).

In one of the night’s most explosive bouts, Boxlab Promotions’ and Brownsville, Texas’s undefeated Sebastian Juarez (10-0, 8 KOs) put on a blistering display against Ft. Worth, Texas’s Demarcus Layton (10-8-1, 7 KOs). Despite an early knockdown from Layton and two point deductions for holding, Juarez rebounded to knock down Layton twice with devastating power before the referee halted the action at 2:59 of the first round, awarding Juarez the TKO win. Also on the preliminary card, Boxlab Promotions’ 21-year-old Cuban prospect Pedro Veitia (6-0-1, 6 KOs) and 19-year-old Mexican prospect Xavier Zuniga (4-0-1, 3 KOs) battled through six competitive rounds in a 154 lbs super welterweight bout, ending in a hard-fought split draw (60-54, 58-56, 57-57). Kicking off the night, Mission, Texas’s Edgar “Rocky” Rosales (6-0, 2 KOs) extended his undefeated streak with an impressive unanimous decision win (40-36, 39-37x2) over Harlingen, Texas’s Reggie Ray Martinez (6-1-1, 1 KO) in a 4-round lightweight bout at 135 lbs. 

Most Valuable Prospects 16 is promoted by MVP and distributed globally by DAZN. The 16th event in the series, in partnership with Boxlab Promotions, continued the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, TORKLAW, Caribe Royale Resort, and Event Tickets Center also joined on to sponsor Most Valuable Prospects 16.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano, in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of the Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet, and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com. 

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions/ Photo Courtesy of: Harry Aaron/Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Joel "Lethal" Lewis Returns On November 28th At Thunderdome 52

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

Press Release: October 16, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing - Rising Australian welterweight prospect Joel “Lethal” Lewis returns to the ring on November 28th at Metro City in Perth in his quest to prove he is Australias best Welterweight in a featured Thunderdome 51 contest.

 

Lewis is finishing 2025 with his 3rd fight against Chinas Yong Shuai Luan and has moved camps to train with Angelo Hyder, current trainer of former World Champions Andrew and Jason Moloney.

 

Lewis states ”I have come from the lowest of lows and now ready to sacrifice everything and leave no stone unturned to give everything I can in my professional career.

 

I'm blessed to be training at the Dragon Fire Boxing gym with Angelo, the experience and time Angelo has given me I believe has taken me to a new level and I’m loving my boxing and looking forward to showcase my skills and show the hardwork we have been putting in.

 

My last fight was a statement win and I know my next opponent is going to be tougher again and next year I will be stepping up more and more.

 

Im excited November 28th Thunderdome 52 Lethal is coming!

 

Promoter Tony Tolj discusses the upcoming clash & Thunderdome 52

“This is a massive show and we will be finishing off the year with a BANG! 14 Fights. This is another step up clash for Joel (lewis), under Angelo, Joel has gone to another level and I’m predicting 2026 to be a break out year for Joel, Lethal by name and Lethal by nature!

You can follow all the action from Thunderdome 52 on Livecombatsports.com.au 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Ennis Destructive In Jr. Middleweight Debut

The storyline going into the encounter between undefeated former unified Welterweight world champion Jaron Ennis and IBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Uisma Lima on October 11th was that it represented the next chapter in the thus far unbeaten career of Ennis in his debut in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. Before a hometown crowd at the recently renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena (Formerly the Wells Fargo Center) in Philadelphia, PA, Ennis would make a statement.

Despite going against a world champion, whose title was not on the line, little was known about Uisma Lima. In previewing this fight, this observer stated that Lima was, much like Ennis, a come forward fighter that applies pressure boxing out of the southpaw stance. Although Lima, who was fighting for the first time in the United States, began this fight coming forward behind a consistent jab and attempted to put Ennis on the defensive by backing him up, he was unable to control the distance as he had shown in previous fights.

This created the scenario that brought the fight to a sudden conclusion. Just as it appeared that a potential tactical fight was setting up in the first round, the two fighters exchanged left hands. It was in that exchange that Ennis was able to connect with his left before Lima could land his. The punch from Ennis connected and stunned Lima. Ennis quickly followed that with an uppercut that sent Lima down to the canvas. 

Lima got up in very unsteady legs, but Ennis pressed the issue immediately, dropping him for a second time with a follow-up barrage of blows. Showing his mettle, Lima was able to get up once more, but Ennis quickly went in for the kill and another follow-up flurry of punches forced Referee Shawn Clark to step in, as Lima’s corner was throwing the towel in to save their fighter from further punishment, and stop the fight at 1:58 of round one. 

As tempting as some might be to add elements of hype to this knockout, yours truly will not be one of them. There is simply not much you can say about a fight that lasts just under two minutes. Jaron Ennis simply saw his opening, was able to take advantage of it, and made quick work of his opponent in destructive fashion. Simply put, Uisma Lima did not know what hit him and Ennis did not take the chance of allowing him to recover, went in for the kill and took care of business. 

As for what's next for Ennis, quite frankly, this observer believes that the International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Jr. Middleweight championship, which Uisma Lima still holds, despite being knocked out in the first round of this fight, should have been on the line here. If nothing else, it would have provided a narrative that Ennis established himself as a two-division world champion with the knockout win. Instead, Ennis earned with his thirty-first knockout in thirty-five career wins, Interim/Regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Jr. Middleweight ratings. In short, that designation is simply a number one ranking. 

A number one ranking that puts Ennis in line to face current WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Abass Baraou, a fighter who recently held that same designation, but was elevated to world champion following the decision by former WBA world champion Terence Crawford to vacate the title to move up two divisions to Super-Middleweight to challenge undisputed world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. A challenge that for Crawford was successful. Much like Uisma Lima had going into his fight with Ennis, Abass Baraou has a limited resume of a 14-1 record with 9 Knockouts and has not fought opposition that some would consider top caliber.

 The brief glimpse into the politics that be in the sport of Boxing aside, what his victory over Uisma Lima, should have accomplished for Jaron Ennis was establishing him as potentially a lucrative, albeit dangerous option for any top contender or world champion in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. He also showed, at least in this fight, that his punching power has thus far carried with him up from the 147lb. Welterweight division. Whether or not Abass Baraou is indeed next for Ennis, which would be the logical assumption at least as far as the WBA is concerned, remains to be seen, but this observer believes Jaron Ennis could be back in the ring as soon as January or February of next year after a short night's work in knocking out Uisma Lima.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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BREAKING: Fundora-Thurman Postponed

It has been announced that the October 25th pay-per-view card headlined by a bout between WBC Jr. Middleweight world champion Sebastian Fundora defending his title against former WBA Welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, which was scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV and streamed on Prime Video has been postponed due to a hand injury suffered by the champion. It has also been reported by noted Boxing journalist Mike Coppinger, currently of Ring Magazine that the scheduled co-main event, a WBC World Jr. Lightweight championship bout between between champion O'Shaquie Foster and former Jr. Featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton, will also be rescheduled.

The Fundora-Thurman card was one of two scheduled pay-per-view cards to take place on October 25th. As of this writing, the other event headlined by former WBO World Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker facing top contender Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena in London England, which will be streamed on digital sports streaming network DAZN as a pay-per-view add-on separate from it's subscription-based model, remains on as scheduled. 

We will keep readers updated on when the Fundora-Thurman card will be rescheduled as those details become available.

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Ennis Takes On IBO World Champion Lima In Jr. Middleweight Debut

It goes almost without saying nowadays that unless a fighter is a natural Heavyweight, most fighters that make it to the world championship level and achieve that goal, tend to set their sights on multiple weight classes in search of more world championship gold as well as and perhaps more specifically, bigger paydays. In the case of Jaron Ennis, an undefeated World Welterweight champion, who seemed poised to take over the 147lb. Welterweight division in the era immediately following the exit of Terence Crawford, the division’s last undisputed world champion, he has made the decision to move up in weight rather than trying to complete the unification process at Welterweight after successfully unifying the IBF and WBA world titles with a sixth round stoppage of previously unbeaten WBA world champion Eimantas Stanionis in April of this year. Despite the potential to add his name next to Crawford and other notable legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and Donald Curry as fighters who went on to claim status as an undisputed world champion during their time atop the Welterweight division, Ennis has instead opted to move up in weight to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division where he will face current International Boxing Organization (IBO) Jr. Middleweight world champion Uisma Lima on Saturday, October 11th in Ennis' hometown of Philadelphia, PA at the Wells Fargo Center in a scheduled twelve round bout that can be seen worldwide on digital sports subscription streaming network DAZN. Lima, who holds the distinction as the first fighter from Angola to ever hold a world championship, will enter this fight with a record of 14-1, with 10 Knockouts.

Despite holding a world championship that he won in December of last year and has successfully defended it once since then, Lima is largely unknown and basically comes into this encounter with Ennis as a world champion that is under the radar. Lima has scored knockouts of over 70% of his opposition, so the question that looms over this fight will be how Lima, a boxer/puncher will perform against the significantly more experienced and higher profile Ennis, who will come into this bout unbeaten with a record of 34-0, with 30 Knockouts having knocked out 88% of his previous opponents entering this fight.

What is also unknown as this fight approaches is whether the IBO world championship in the Jr. Middleweight division, which Lima currently holds, will be on the line or if this will be a non-title bout scheduled for the world championship distance of twelve rounds. The IBO, which was founded in the late 1980’s and incorporated in the early 1990’s, and is based here in the United States, has struggled for consistent recognition, particularly in this country as a world sanctioning organization, the fifth major world sanctioning organization in the sport. It is an organization, however, that in addition to having many notable fighters and Hall of Famers, male and female hold its world championship in various weight divisions throughout the entire sport, is held in higher regard internationally, which in addition to its computerized-based approach to rankings, can on occasion create a scenario like this where a world champion, who is well-traveled as Lima has been in competing in multiple countries throughout his career, but a fighter who will be competing in the United States for the first time, is regarded as an unknown entity. This observer has been unable to confirm as is this writing as to whether or not the world title Lima holds will indeed be on the line in this bout.

While some who particularly take a more cynical view of sanctioning organizations and choose not to view them as the legitimate entities that they for better or worse are, no matter what happens in this fight, it will have no impact on the IBO’s standing. If, Lima can produce a solid performance, however, it will provide further evidence that just because a fighter may not be what is sometimes referred to as a “Household Name" does not mean they should be taken lightly both by their opponent who might be more well known and by fans, even though in an era increasingly dominated by worldwide streaming, it is becoming harder for fighters to be completely under the radar.

As for what type of fight one can expect when Ennis and Lima square off? Like Jaron Ennis, Uisma Lima is a come forward pressure fighter. What will make this potentially interesting is Lima is a southpaw that is tall, rangy, knows how to control distance well, and often comes forward throwing punches with both hands. The question here might be whether Lima’s physical advantages and offensive approach will be enough against a fighter in Ennis that while he might be moving up in weight, has shown the ability to end a fight with either hand in often brutal fashion. If the power he displayed as a Welterweight is able to carry with him as he moves up in weight, Ennis will be no less dangerous and any opponent will have to approach with caution. We will see what Uisma Lima can do on Saturday, October 11th.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Update: Shortly after completion of this column, it was able to be confirmed that the IBO Jr. Middleweight world championship currently held by Uisma Lima will not be at stake, but the bout is being billed as a final elimination bout in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Jr. Middleweight ratings where the winner will be given Interim/Regular champion status in the WBA rankings. As of this writing, win or lose Lima will still be IBO world champion.

Ennis vs. Lima takes place on Saturday, October 11th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 5:15 PM ET/2:15 PM with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts followed by the main card that will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT. 

(*North American Times Only.*)

(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, Availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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BKB ANNOUNCES HIRING OF NEW CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND ELEVATION OF DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Credit: BKB 

Press Release: October 5, 2025 By BKB - MIAMI, FL – As BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing continues to grow and revolutionize combat sports, CEO David Tetreault announced today the hiring of George Gallegos as Chief Business Officer and Head of Legal and Tony Rodriguez as Creative Director, and the elevation of Adrian Man from UK Social Media Lead to Director of Social Media.  

The hirings coincide with the launch of BKB’s full-scale media and entertainment division under CMO Don Povia, to produce premium fight documentaries, behind-the-scenes reality series, and an entirely new Social First strategy that floods every screen with original content. In partnership with broadcast and streaming partners VICE, Telemundo and talkSPORT, BKB will deliver must-watch programming that takes fans inside the fight game like never before — from the brutality of fight night to the untold stories that define the fighters.

Said Tetreault, “Our primary goal is to become the undisputed leader in bare knuckle boxing. There isn’t a company out there that can compete with our in-ring product and our executive leadership experience, and as we move into 2026, we will solidify that in the eyes of combat sports fans through strategic growth, brand expansion, partnerships, and unmatched content creation. We have spent a decade laying the foundation to become a transformative force in the game. We have the largest roster, the largest library of fights and the largest distribution network in the industry. Starting now, we put our foot on the gas, and the additions of George and Tony, and the expanded role of Adrian, will help drive that.”

Previously, Gallegos served as in house counsel for Golden Boy Promotions, the boxing promotion company founded by world champion Oscar De La Hoya, where he oversaw legal  rights and promotional and bout agreements, venue procurement including T-Mobile Arena, Madison Square Garden, Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino, sponsors deal such as Tecate and Hennessey, network/OTT platform broadcasting rights agreements with network/platforms such as HBO, ESPN and DAZN, licensing agreements with companies such as Facebook, Getty Photos, Fanatics and Funko Pop. Additionally, Gallegos advised and handled De La Hoya’s business affairs related to his publicity rights, endorsements, and life rights, such as a documentary and television series, negotiated the re-signing of Ryan Garcia to a multiyear contract, and developed and executed a Hybrid MMA/Boxing show for Bally Sports which included retaining talent and creating a club-type boxing show with video game features. 

Rodriguez is a visual designer and Creative Director who has worked on boutique projects with a focus on emerging technology with clients including Netflix, HBO, Triller, Snapchat, and Ubisoft. He served as Golden Boy’s Creative Director from 2016-2022, working in tandem with distribution partners including DAZN, Facebook, HBO and ESPN.  Man, who has a background in journalism and production and has worked with BKB in various capacities, most recently overseeing UK-oriented content and messaging, will expand his role to oversee global content management as Director of Social Media.  In the past three years he has worked with Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports and Eurosport as a Social Media Producer. 

BKB returns to action on October 18 when former IBF Junior Welterweight and WBA Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi faces 5-3 bare knuckle veteran Tyler Goodjohn at BKB 47 on at Planet Ice Arena in Leeds, England.  BKB is broadcast live in English in the US on VICE and in Spanish on Telemundo Desportes Ahora, and in the UK and Ireland on TalkSPORT.  Visit bkbbareknuckle.com and follow on social @bkbbareknuckle for tickets, information and all ways to watch. 

ABOUT BKB BARE KNUCKLE BOXING

In the past two years, BKB (originally BYB) has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest bare knuckle boxing company in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport;  acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to lineal television on both sides of the Atlantic, including the recent deal with VICE TV and Telemundo Desportes in the US, and in the UK with TalkSport. 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: BKB Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

IBO World Featherweight Champion Dayan Gonzalez Makes Statement In Non-Title Bout

Historically, the 126lb. Featherweight division has provided many memorable battles throughout numerous decades throughout Boxing history. In more recent times, however, it seems as though the division has found itself in a consistent pattern of transition. If not a transition of fighters beating champions for versions of the World Featherweight championship, transitions in that fighters that become the central figures of the division move up in weight seeking more world championships and more lucrative opportunities. While the most interesting topic of discussion in the present day with regard to the Featherweights in the eyes of many fans is likely when the current unbeaten Undisputed Jr. Featherweight world champion Naoya Inoue, a fighter who has achieved undisputed champion status as both a Bantamweight and a Jr. Featherweight, will eventually enter the division, the current crop of world champions in the division are angling to establish themselves as the division’s next central figure. Among the potential candidates is the current world champion of the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Dayan Gonzalez.

Unbeaten in seventeen professional bouts, with fifteen knockouts, the Cuban-born, U.A.E-based Gonzalez won the vacant IBO Featherweight world championship in December of last year with a first round knockout of Wira Mikham. Gonzalez would follow that victory with another first round knockout in February of this year of Kevin Villanueva in a non-title bout. This would serve as the set up for his fight on September 27th when he faced nineteen bout veteran Rhonvex Capuloy of the Philippines in a scheduled ten round non-title bout at the World Siam Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Although it is unusual in the present era of the sport to see world champions competing in non-title bouts that did not come as a result of a scheduled title defense being altered due to one fighter not being able to make the official weight limit to be able to challenge for or defend that championship, there was a time going back as recent to the 1990’s and decades prior where world champions would occasionally compete in non-title bouts to remain active in between title defenses. A practice that was considered normal throughout many divisions below the Heavyweight division. While in one sense this observer finds it refreshing to see that practice being implemented today, I cannot recall as of this writing seeing a situation where I have covered a world champion, who after winning the title, and remaining in the same weight class, has chosen to compete in two non-title bouts consecutively before making their first title defense.

The odd circumstance notwithstanding and the throwback element of this fight, I was curious to see how Gonzalez would perform as this was my first opportunity to cover one of his bouts. What stood out immediately was what I refer to as “Tactical Aggression." In that the approach Gonzalez implemented was very aggressive and in line with a fighter who has a career knockout percentage of over 88%, but very tactical in how he executed that approach.

Sometimes it is rare to see a fighter who hails from Cuba implement such an approach with a fair emphasis on aggression because often, Cuban fighters, who are elite amateurs are known more for accuracy and precision rather than as come forward pressure fighters throwing punches at a high volume. Nevertheless, it needs to be emphasized by yours truly, Gonzalez was not reckless in his approach and applied pressure on Capuloy behind a consistent double jab, which put the southpaw immediately on the defensive.

In the second round, Capuloy was able to open up more with his offense and seemed to be finding a gradual rhythm. Just as it seemed like Capuloy, who entered the fight with a record of 13-3-3, with 10 Knockouts, was beginning to give Gonzalez at minimum cause for caution with some of his punches, Gonzalez responded by dropping him with a flush right hook to the jaw that sent Capuloy flat on his back. Despite being dropped hard, Capuloy was able to beat the count and survived the round.

Gonzalez continued to dish out punishment in the third round by consistently backing Capuloy up against the ropes and periodically trapping him in corners. It was at this stage that Gonzalez unleashed what amounted to a full range of offense, jabs, straight right hands, hooks with both hands, and uppercuts with both hands as well with the majority of punches focused on the head of Capuloy. The constant pressure and consistent power shots from Gonzalez finally broke Capuloy down as a barrage of heavy blows capped off with a flush left hook to the jaw sent the very “Game," but over matched Capuloy down for a second and final time as his corner mercifully threw the towel in to save their fighter from further punishment at 2:30 of round four. 

Ultimately, this proved to be what is often referred to as a “Tune-Up” for a young and unbeaten world champion. In terms of what will be next, the obvious in this observer’s mind would be for Gonzalez and his handlers to schedule a defense of his IBO world championship before possibly being stripped of it.

Although the IBO, the fifth most recognized world sanctioning organization in the sport is not held in as high regard as it's counterparts the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO, it is a recognized sanctioning organization known for its computerized rankings model, which differs from its counterparts. The organization, however, does not have a history of consistently mandating its world champions to defend their titles within a certain timeframe.

Currently, the top three contenders in the IBO’s Featherweight ratings are in order of one to three, Brandon Figueroa, Luis Nery, and Bruce Carrington. All three fighters are certainly deserving of their current positions as top contenders and each of the three would provide an interesting challenge for Gonzalez both from a skill standpoint as well as in terms of experience. While Dayan Gonzalez is a world champion and “Knockout Artist" that has seemingly come out of nowhere, he has only had eighteen professional fights including this most recent outing against Rhonvex Capuloy. It should also be noted that, despite being as impressive and intimidating as a fighter with a near 90% career knockout percentage might be, Gonzalez has only been as far as none rounds up to this point in his career.

Taking non-title bouts in between title defenses is a concept that this observer would like to see return to more of a norm within the sport. Part of what makes a champion, however, is once a fighter becomes world champion the expectation and standard is increased and that includes defending and hopefully unifying the title over time. It's time for Dayan Gonzalez to show he can defend his portion of the World Featherweight title and take a step that could lead to potential unification bouts and may ultimately result in his establishing himself as the division’s next central figure in time. Before he can focus on any of what might come down the line, however, he needs to get a title defense first.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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