Boxing News Boxing News
Last night, Cristian Mijares returned to the light flyweight ranks for the first time in over two years, taking away the IBF title of Juan Alberto Rosas at Auditorio Municipal in Torreon, Mexico.
The 29 year old former WBC/WBA champ had campaigned as a top level bantamweight since 2009 but had been unsuccessful at capturing world honors, returning to 115 pounds last evening to take on Rosas, 26, who had recently dethroned South African Simphiwe Nongqayi. for the IBF title.
Once the bout began, Mijares’ big edge in experience was apparent as he used the ring in expert fashion to avoid the full speed ahead approach of the champion.
Rosas’ efforts to get inside and outwork his challenger was nullified by southpaw Mijares’ excellent counterpunching and footwork as the veteran picked off the incoming champ repeatedly, although Rosas did put together some successful sequences.
Banking of the idea that Mijares would be forced to fight after wearing down from the fast pace, Rosas continued his aggression but Mijares never did go in for trading with his adversary until the final round when both men were going with everything they had left.
When the scores were read, Mijares had swept the cards by margins of 117-113 and 115-113 twice to win the IBF super flyweight title, improving to 41-6-2 (18), and has now been victorious in his last five appearances.
Rosas loses his world title during a first defense, dropping to 32-6 (26), as a four contest win streak falls by the wayside.
