By Felipe Leon
Home town favorite Mario “Dragoncito” Rodriguez (15-6-4, 11 KOs) became the first champion out of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico as he stopped previously undefeated South African Nkosinathi Joyi (22-1, 15 KOs) in the seventh round in a bout held in the Municipal Auditorium of Guasave. Joyi controlled the majority of the action but as the fight wore on, Rodriguez was able to get inside and land punches to the head a body. A combination that began with a left uppercut followed with a left hook to the top of the head and then right sent Joyi down. Joyi did not beat the count. Official time was 2:07 of the seventh round. With the win Rodriguez crowns himself the IBF strawweight champion.
