Giovani Santillan Wins
Knockout Night at Kia Forum for Golden Boy Show
(Photos by Al Applerose)
By Uppercut Magazine staff
In a night filled with knockouts Giovani Santillan delivered a dominant knockout performance over Alexis Rocha and Gabriela Fundora knocked out the champion to emphatically grab the crown on Saturday.
Knockouts were everywhere.
Golden Boy Promotions delivered its best show of the season as San Diego’s Santillan crushed Rocha of Santa Ana in a battle between welterweight contenders in front of more than 3,000 fans at Kia Forum in Inglewood, Ca. It was one of several knockout wins.
In a female world title bout Gabriela Fundora, who lives in Coachella, Calif., knocked out world titlist Arely Mucino who trains in the Coachella Valley. The Mexican champion was one of the last of her generation of Mexican world champions.
In other action hot super flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez showed off his talent and a battle between undefeated super middleweights was abruptly ended by knockout. Also, amateur star Iyana “Roxy” Verduzco won her pro debut after years of as an amateur standout.
Fundora used her height and reach to her advantage over Arely Mucino after a carousing first round.
When Mucino attempted to charge in, she was caught by punishing rights and lefts.
Fundora punished Mexico's Mucino and knocked her down twice in winning by knockout in the fifth round.
Gabriela Fundora exited the boxing ring as the new IBF flyweight world titlist. Is Marlen Esparza next?
Iyana "Roxy" Verduzco erupted with a flurry of blows and technique in her pro debut.
Though Verduzco showed speed and polished skills, Clarice Morales showed her own skills and toughness.
Morales had her moments and did score with lead rights against southpaw Verduzco.
After four rounds Roxy Verduzco was judged the winner by unanimous decision.
Super flyweight contender John "Scrappy" Ramirez won by knockout against Ronal Batista.
Sacramento's Joeshon James knocked out Penn's David Stevens in the first round in a super middleweight fight.
Top Rank's Gio Santillan knocked out Alexis Rocha in a welterweight title fight.