Connect with us

Canada and USA

Whiz Kids Jojo Diaz and Vergil Ortiz Victorious at Fantasy Springs

INDIO, Calif.-NABO titlist Jojo Diaz floored Mexico’s Victor Terrazas three times in adding the NABF featherweight title to his wardrobe on Thursday evening

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Published

on

Jojo

INDIO, Calif.-NABO titlist Jojo Diaz floored Mexico’s Victor Terrazas three times in adding the NABF featherweight title to his wardrobe on Thursday evening. It was the most emphatic victory yet for the former Olympian.

A crowd of more than 1,000 fans at Fantasy Springs Casino saw Diaz (26-0, 14 KOs) win an elimination bout over Terrazas (38-5-2, 21 KOs) for the WBC featherweight world title. It was a necessary step to keep his place in line and to keep the rust from gathering.

Diaz (pictured on the right) seemed intent on connecting with the big blows early and Terrazas was the victim of choice. In the first round the speedy southpaw Diaz floored the Mexican fighter twice, first with a body shot, then a counter left cross. He was zeroed in.

After a slower second round, Diaz opened up the third round with more body shots mixed with head shots. Openings soon revealed themselves and a left to the body sent Terrazas down for good at 3:00 of the round. Diaz was declared the winner by technical knockout.

“Victor Terrazas is a tremendous warrior. I thank him for the opportunity because of all the experience he brought to the ring. He’s a strong veteran and I wish him all the best,” said Diaz, 25, who now has the number one spot in the WBC rankings as a featherweight.

The South El Monte whiz kid knows exactly who he wants to fight next or soon.

“I’m ready to have the world title around my waist. Gary Russell, Jr. You’re next,” said Diaz about the current WBC featherweight titlist. “Once I defeat him and have that belt around my waist, I’m going to give the fight fans what they want to see: champions against champions.”

Russell fights under the PBC banner so that might not be easy to do.

Vergil

Big hitting Vergil Ortiz Jr. (9-0, 9 KOs) was extended a bit by Jesus Alvarez (15-4, 11 KOs) but not too much in winning the vacant Junior NABF super lightweight title by knockout. He’s going back home to Dallas, Texas with the belt in his hands.

Ortiz connected quickly with one of his lethal rights and down went Alvarez. It looked like another early knockout for the tall Texan but Alvarez surprisingly got up.

“I was glad he got up and didn’t quit,” said Ortiz.

The fight entered the second round with few expecting Alvarez to survive the round, especially with Ortiz landing sharp pounding shots, but he did.

Ortiz began focusing on the body in the third round and mixing it up to the head. The change in strategy worked and opened up holes for Ortiz who fired a left hook to the head that wobbled Alvarez. Ortiz opened up with 10 blows and referee Raul Caiz Jr. stopped the fight at 2:23 in the third round.

“I could have done better,” said Ortiz.

Trainer Joel Diaz said it was a simple case of overexcitement.

“He was so excited about winning the NABF title that he went head hunting instead of going to the body,” said Diaz who trains Ortiz in Indio. “If he had gone to the body early he wouldn’t have wasted so many punches.”

Ortiz admitted it was a mistake. But taking home his first title is a thrill.

“Yes I’m taking it home with me tomorrow,” said Dallas boxer Ortiz.

Other Bouts

Rey “The Technician” Perez (22-9, 6 KOs) dominated Chimpa Gonzalez with tighter punches throughout the eight round lightweight fight. From the very beginning Perez was able to connect almost at will with left hooks and lead rights as Gonzalez winged wide blows through the air. Around the third round Gonzalez tightened his blows a bit but was still out-hustled by Perez. Two judges scored it 79-73 and the other 78-74 for Perez who, like Gonzalez, fights out of Los Angeles.

San Antonio’s Hector “Finito” Tanajara (12-0, 5 KOs) connected with an overhand right and followed with a right uppercut that crumbled Eduardo Rivera (10-4-2) at 1:58 of the first round. Rivera could not beat the count and referee Raul Caiz Jr. signaled a knockout win for the tall rangy super featherweight. Tanajara trains with Robert Garcia.

San Diego’s Genaro Gamez (7-0, 5 KOs) jumped on Aguascalientes, Mexico’s Miguel Mendoza (23-14-2, 22 KOs) at the sound of the opening bell and picked apart the defense of the patient fighter. After a left hook hurt Mendoza, the Mexican fighter rallied furiously and was winging big wide blows that Gamez was able to avoid. That became the trend for the rest of the fight. In the fifth round Gamez was attacking with vicious body shots with one connecting with such force that Mendoza yelled in pain. It was the first time that the Mexican fighter looked ready to submit. At the end of round five the corner for Mendoza told referee Eddie Hernandez they wanted the fight stopped.

Manny Robles Jr. (15-0, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles dominated Tucson’s Martin Cardona (24-11, 16 KOs) for three rounds before ended the featherweight fight at 2:53 of the fourth round. A series of blows including a big right cross forced Cardona’s corner to request the referee stop the battering.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles13 hours ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles5 days ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles7 days ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles1 week ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles13 hours ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles1 day ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles5 days ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles7 days ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles1 week ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending