Newly crowned world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (33-1, 28 KOs) of Mexico City won a twelve round unanimous decision over Ruben Villa (18-1, 5 KOs) of Salinas, California to win the vacant WBO featherweight title Friday night in the Bubble at the MGM Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. Navarrete, the former WBO super bantamweight world champion with five defense came out strong scoring a knockdown early in the fight. Navarrete dominated Villa dropping him a second time and dominating him throughout the fight. Despite the dominant performance the judges were being too generous to Villa as they scored the bout 115-111, 114-112, and 114-112 as the 2 knockdowns shockingly proved to be the difference in the fight.
Villa boxed as Navarrete started landing big punches right away. Later in the round a solid uppercut by Navarrete sat Villa down as he survived the round. Navarrete stalked behind the big punches as Villa continued to box. In the fourth, Navarrete sent Villa to the canvas with a left hook as Villa was shook to close the round.
Navarrete was in full control throughout the fight, cruising the second half of the fight as Villa fought to survive. It was all Navarrete as he outworked and dominated Villa in route to the decision however the judges scored the bout a questionable 115-111, 114-112, & 114-112.
With the the win Navarrete becomes a two- time world champion winning the WBO featherweight title.
Undefeated middleweight Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (9-0, 5 KOs) scored a spectacular second round knockout over Gonzalo Coria (16-4, 6 KOs) in the co-feature. Alimkhanuly dropped Coria in round one and then finished him with a straight left in round two.
Unbeaten southpaw junior welterweight Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez (10-0-1, 10 KOs) scored a third round knockout over veteran Cameron Krael (17-17-3, 4 KOs). A right hook sent Krael on the canvas as the referee reached a ten count at 53 seconds of the third.
Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson (9-0, 5 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Sonny Duversonne (11-1-2, 8 KOs). Duversonne scored a knockdown in round five when an off-balance Simpson’s glove brushed the canvas, but otherwise Simpson was in control. Judges scored the bout 78-73, 78-73, 79-73.
Unbeaten lightweight Bryan Lua (7-0, 3 KOs) scored a one-sided six round unanimous decision over Nelson Colon (4-4, 3 KOs)
Super featherweight Rashiem Jefferson (3-0, 0 KOs) outpointed Steve Garagarza (2-3-1, 1 KO) over four rounds.
Making his pro debut junior middleweight amateur star Kahshad Elliott demolished “Action Action” Akeem Jackson (1-2, 1 KO) in the first round.
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