Super Middle Rubio, Light Welter Lozado Win In Mexico

In what was a magnificent back-and-forth battle, World Boxing Federation Super Middleweight Champion Marco Antonio Rubio made a successful first defense of his title Saturday night, December 22, in Morelia, Mexico, when he stopped courageous challenger Michel Rosales in the eleventh round.

Rubio, now 56-6-1 (49), scored a knockdown very early in the first round when he connected with a right hook to the jaw of Rosales, and it appeared that “El Veneno” would have an easy nights work. But Rosales gamely beat the count, and furiously fought back immediately after.

The action was breathtaking from then on, and both boxers had periods where they were in control, only to see the other man come right back and connect with his own punches. In round seven it again looked as if Rubio would be able to end matters when he forced Rosales to the ropes by connecting with several left and right hands in succession.

But, again, Rosales, 32-6 (26), managed to weather the storm and fight back with everything in his arsenal to keep the bout close and extremely entertaining for the 4000 fans, who were at the edge of their seats from start to finish of each round. At this point it was still anybody’s guess who the eventual winner would be.

However, in round eleven Rubio finally managed to overcome the stubborn challenge of Michel Rosales. As the two warriors were trading blows, Rubio landed with a powerful left hook followed by a huge right hand to the face of Rosales, who dramatically crashed to the canvas.

Proving his tremendous heart, Rosales staggered to his feet but was rightly declared unable to continue as the referee waved off an unforgettable classic. At the time of the stoppage Rosales was ahead on one scorecard, while Rubio was leading on the other two.

Promoters of the fight, which could easily win WBF Fight Of The Year honors, was Promociones Del Pueblo and HG Boxing.
Televisa televised live in Mexico and the USA.

One day earlier, on Friday December 21, Interim WBF Light Welterweight Champion Antonio Lozada Jr. put on a devastating display of body-punching, when he retained his title in three impressive rounds against David Cavita at the Auditorio Ernesto Rufo in Rosarito, Mexico.

The 22-year-old champion from nearby Tijuana imposed his will on Cavito from the start, and already in the second round the writing was on the wall as Lozada floored the challenger twice with well-placed body-shots. Cavita beat the count both times, but it was only a matter of time before Lozada would catch up with him again.

The end came only forty-two seconds into the third, as Lozada cut off the ring beautifully and finished the job with one more devastating body-shot. Referee Juan Jose Ramirez waved off the fight, and the enthusiastic crowd celebrated another impressive victory for their hero.

Lozada Jr. improved his professional record to 30-1 (26), and is now in line to face full champion Zolani Marali of South Africa in the first half of 2013. Cavita, game but clearly out-gunned, fell to 7-2-2 (6). The fight was promoted by Promociones Del Pueblo in association with Baja Boxing.