Boxing returned to California Friday night as WBA Gold welterweight champion Vergil Ortiz Jr. (16-0, 16 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas stopped Samuel Vargas (31-5-2, 14 KOs) of Bogota, Colombia in the seventh in the DAZN main event from the Fantasy Springs Events Center in Indio, California.
Coming out firing, Ortiz connected Vargas with some big punches in the opening round. Working with a piston like jab in the second round, Ortiz was effective following up with big shots as Vargas attacked the body getting inside. Referee Jack Reiss and Ortiz had a few words in the third as he warned Ortiz for spinning Vargas. Moments after, the undefeated fighter ripped away with the solid rights numerous times. Continuing to work the jab in the fourth, Ortiz followed up with a chopping right as he attacked and pinned Vargas against the ropes but the veteran fought well off the ropes. At the end of the round, referee Jack Reiss called the ring physician to check on Vargas.
In the fifth, Ortiz kept working the jab snapping Vargas's head. Ortiz was attacking to start the sixth as he was all over Vargas. Unloading in the seventh, Ortiz finished off Vargas at 2:58.
Here is what Ortiz had to say following his victory.
“I didn’t really notice fighting with no fans. I’m so focused on the fight. With or without fans is how we spar, so didn’t make a difference.
“I hit him to the body a lot. I don’t know how he didn’t go down. He was hurt the entire time - I asked him. I knew it was time to take him out. If it went to eight rounds he would have been hurt worse. When I take rounds off like that I try to get used to timing, and miss some shots.
“I would like to fight Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman. They’re good opponents I can beat. I want to take risks. I’m not here to take easy fights. I’m in the hardest division in boxing, so when I win a title it will mean a lot more.
“Against a guy like that a solid B+. He brought it out of me, hardest opponent to date. My hands took a beating punching him the whole time, so when they’re healed I’ll be back.”
Shane Mosley Jr. (16-3, 9 KOs) of Pomona, California made Golden Boy promotions debut in a middleweight bout against veteran Jeremy Ramos (11-9, 2 KOs) of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Off to a fast start Mosley was flashy in the opening round, firing away backing Ramos. There was some good exchanges throughout the fight. Mosley connected with some good shots and credit to Ramos for bringing it landing good shots making Mosley work and earn a decision. 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73.
Women's flyweight world champion Seniesa “Superbad” Estrada (18-0, 7 KOs) scored a record breaking seven second knockout over Miranda Adkins (5-1) of Kansas. Right at the opening bell, the East L.A. fighter, Estrada fired away a combination laying out Adkins with a left hook as the referee immediately waived the bout.
“I give Adkins so much credit because she stood up and took the fight. Due to the COVID situation we tried to get current champions, former champions, and Miranda was the only one who stepped in to take the fight. I had more experience than her in the professionals and amateurs, so I let my punches go and couldn’t stop. I knew the outcome would be a knockout for sure, but didn’t know how long it would take. God Bless Adkins and hope Adkins is okay.
“It was the outcome I expected,” said Seniesa Estrada. “I give her respect for stepping into the ring with me while having a 5-0 record. If it weren’t for her, I probably wouldn’t have had an opponent tonight, so I thank her. Hopefully next time I can fight someone who is a world champion.”
“I want all the champions, I’m ready for it! At 105 lbs., 108lbs., or 112 lbs. I want Anabel Ortiz who has the WBA title at 105 lbs., and Yesenia Gomez who has the WBC title at 108 lbs. I want a world champion fight. Marlen Esparza, l will give her the rematch. Let’s go!”
Super bantamweight prospect Hector Valdez (13-0, 8 KOs) of Dallas, Texas, outworked a tough Josue Morales (11-12-4, 1 KO) going eight rounds in winning a unanimous decision. Valdez boxed as Morales displayed aggression in the early rounds. Halfway through Valdez was more aggressive snapping Morales's head with some good punches.
Attacking the body, Valdez connected Morales good, with a left hook to the body in the fifth. Stepping up the pace, Valdez unloaded on Morales in route to the decision victory as the judges scored the bout 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73.
Opening up the DAZN stream welterweight prospect Evan Sanchez (8-0, 6 KOs) of Parlier, California won a hard fought unanimous decision over Issouf Kinda (18-5, 7 KO's) of the Bronx. Sanchez dropped Kinda in the fourth round. There was an accidental clash of heads in the sixth and final round. Sanchez boxed well throughout the fight working his way to a decision win. Scores were 60-53, 59-54, 58-55.
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