Rigondeaux KOs Ramos to win WBA 122lb belt

By Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer Jr. at ringside
Photos by Chris Cozzone

WBA interim champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KOs) scored a spectacular sixth round knockout over previously unbeaten WBA super bantamweight champion Rico Ramos (20-1, 11 KOs) on Friday night at the Pearl Theatre at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Rigondeaux got Ramos’ respect early by dropping him with a straight left in round one. The former amateur star dominated every minute of the fight until putting Ramos down for the count with a left to the body in round six. Time was 1:29. After the fight, Rigondeaux called out Nonito Donaire.

In a clash between unbeaten super featherweight prospects, Joel Diaz Jr. (7-0, 6 KOs) scored an exciting seventh round TKO over Guy Robb (7-1, 3 KOs). Robb dropped Diaz in round two with a right hand. Diaz battered Robb to a knee in round three then floored him again later in the round. Robb battled his way back into the fight, but Diaz rocked him in the seventh and got the stoppage. Time was 2:20.

Undefeated super flyweight Matthew Villanueva (7-0-1, 7 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over Mike Ruiz Jr. (8-2-1, 3 KOs). Villanueva dropped Ruiz in round two and got a referee’s stoppage in round seven. Time was 1:04.

In welterweight action. Javier Molina (10-1) outpointed Albert Herrera in a unanimous decision win. Herrera was floored in the opening round with a left hook and never recovered. He pushed the pace for the remainder of the fight but was picked off coming in. The judges scored the fight 58-55 twice, and 59-54.

Razvan Conjanu (2-1) and Rodney Hernandez (1-1) engaged in a rather entertaining four round heavyweight tilt which resulted in Conjanu earning the unanimous decision with scores of 39-37 twice and 40-36.

January 21st, 2012

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