Ouma Suffers Shocking Loss To Journeyman

A night like this illustrates why the fights on paper are sometimes not even remotely close to what actually happens in the ring.

Saul Roman (28-4, 24 KO’s) took a shocking split decision win over former world champion and highly regarded Junior Middleweight Kassim “The Dream” Ouma (25-4, 15 KO’s) in the main event bout took place at The Morongo Casino in Cabazon, California on Friday evening.

The scores were 95-94 (Ouma) and 96-93 twice for Roman. Ouma, who fights out of West Palm Beach, Florida came in to the bout ranked #5 by the WBC and #8 by the IBF.  Roman was coming off two knockout losses.

Roman came out aggressive from the first bell, landing repeatedly to the head and body of a lackluster looking Ouma. A hard short left hook momentarily shook Ouma.

The African fared better in the second round as he landed some left and right hooks to the face of Roman. Roman fought back with some nice body shots, in a very active round for both men.

Roman and Ouma engaged in a phone booth war in the third with both men trying to keep the fight in the middle of the ring. It was one of many close rounds that were tough to score.

The fourth was more toe to toe action with Ouma landing some excellent hooks to the head.

In the fifth, Ouma worked Roman’s body over well as the Mexican kept moving forward and throwing hard shots. Both men exchanged punches with Roman landing some hard lefts followed by uppercuts.

The sixth was Roman’s as he used his height advantage to land some over hand rights on the native of Uganda. Double left hooks by Roman and a right hand scored well for the Culiacan, Sinaloa fighter.

Ouma came out determined in the seventh and raised his work rate as the toe to toe war continued. A left hook put Ouma in serious trouble as Roman pounded him against the ropes.

The eighth turned into a gift for Ouma as he was awarded a bizarre knockdown after hitting Roman several times to the lower regions. Referee James Jen Kin erroneously started an eight count when Roman went down after the third low blow. The obvious foul went in Ouma’s favor in a round that Roman was winning.

Roman finished strong in the ninth and tenth as he landed more hard combinations on a tiring Ouma whose work rate diminished as Roman kept landing wide left and right hooks. It was a very close fight with Roman closing well and taking the final round.

“I showed everyone that I came to fight,” said Roman afterwards. “Hopefully the boxing world will take notice.”

“It wasn’t my best night of course,” said Ouma afterwards. “I have to give credit to Roman. He came to fight and was very strong. The fight could’ve gone either way. I’ll be back.”

Munguia upsets “Pit Bull Diaz”!
Featherweight Miguel Munguia (16-7-1, 13 KOs) scored a surprise win over previously unbeaten Jose “Pit Bull” Diaz (14-1, 4 KOs) in a ten rounder. Scores were 96-93 (Marty Denkin), 95-94 (David Mendoza) and 97-92 (Pat Russell). Diaz is the brother of lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz.

Munguia kept the onrushing attack from Diaz at bay by employing a stiff jab from the very first round. Diaz mimics his more famous brother’s pressure tactics but Munguia used a busy offense for his defense as he constantly kept busy and managed to outland the Texan. Munguia used the counterpunch effectively and was able to measure the oncoming Diaz.

Diaz was breathing heavily by the third round as Munguia blasted his body with much success.

Diaz was deducted a point in the fourth for losing his mouthpiece for a second time after getting clipped with a punch. The action continued hot and heavy as both men fought hard for the win. A hard right hurt and wobbled Munguia who hung on until the bell rang.

Munguia used most of the fifth round to recover but picked up the pace at the end as he landed some nice combinations to win him the round.

Munguia kept Diaz at arms length for the sixth and seventh with constant jabs and combinations to the body.

In the eighth, Diaz seemed to be tiring as his work out-put slowed. Munguia kept pushing forward and was the busier of the two.

The ninth round came and Diaz again caught Munguia but the Mexico City native hung tough and managed to end the round with some effective combinations.

The final round came and Munguia closed strong as he came forward and pressured his opponent who slowed down considerably by the end.

“I wasn’t intimidated at all by him,” said Munguia after the fight. “I knew it was a great opportunity to get back on top and I had to take advantage of it.”

In other bouts:
Nestor Rocha stopped Cesar Morales at fifty one seconds of the ninth round.

Craig McEwan defeated Anthony Cannon by unanimous decision. Scores were 59-54, and 60-54 (twice).

Ricardo Delgado won by unanimous decision over Andres Reyes. Scores were 39-37 all the way across.

Brian Ramirez defeated Sytel Wilbarn via majority decision with scores of 39-37, 38-38 and 40-36.

Ana Julaton won her pro debut over Margarita Valentini in a one sided affair. The scores were 40-34, 39-35 and 40-34.

The bouts were televised by Telefutura and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.