Jose Felix Jr. Squeaks by Ricky Sismundo in Burbank

Jose Felix Jr. (33-1-1, 25 KOs) won by split decision over tricky Ricky Sismundo (30-9-2) in their 10 round lightweight match on Friday at the Burbank Marriott Hotel.

Ever since Felix lost his first fight several years ago he hasn’t been able to find his rhythm. Against Filipino Sismundo he needed it on the Top Rank card and was unable to mount a consistent attack. That left the door open for Sismundo who took full advantage.

Felix tried to gain the momentum by attacking Sismundo’s body in the third round. But the clever Sismundo, though smaller in height, was able to use Felix’s aggression against him. It was a good tactic and kept him in the fight.

The prizefighter from Los Mochis was supposed to be a sure thing for a world title, but since losing to Costa Rica’s Bryan Vasquez in 2014, the hard-hitting Mexican seems under a cloud of confusion.

Top Rank probably needs to stop coddling him and put him against a young monster in the weight division like Felix Verdejo. Sink or swim should be his motto.

Felix pulled out a split decision but his performance was not elite. The scores were 96-93 and 95-94 for Felix and 95-94 for Sismundo who was deducted a point in the sixth round.

Other bouts

Danny Valdivia (10-0, 8 KOs) faced Kenneth Council (10-2-1) in a super welterweight match and made quick work. After a quick battering the fight was stopped at 2:30 of the first round. It was the fighter from Tulare, California’s third consecutive knockout win.

Russia’s Egor Mekhontstev (11-0, 7 KOs) won the light heavyweight battle against Felipe Romero (19-11-1) by unanimous decision. The eight round affair saw Mekhontstev win every round according to the three judges who scored it 80-70. The Russian scored a knockdown in the first and fifth rounds.

Arnold Barboza Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) overwhelmed Robbie Cannon (15-12-2) in the first round and forced the referee to end the super lightweight fight at 2:59.

Eric Altamirano (7-0) survived a first round knockdown to rally and floor Rony Alvarado (9-7) in the fourth and final round. Altamirano won by unanimous decision in their super lightweight contest.

Check out this The Boxing Channel‘s video with results and highlights.