Rios and Diaz Score KO victories in Indio!

Undefeated jr lightweight Ronny Rios (19-0, 9 KO’s) outlasted a tough David Rodela (16-7-3, 7 KOs) to score a ninth round TKO on Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Rodela came out strong and aggressive at the opening bell but couldn’t keep up the strenuous pace. As the Oxnard fighter slowed, Rios took over and was able to outwork the much taller Rodela in the second half. Less than a minute into round nine, Rios caught Rodela against the ropes and landed a series of right hands and uppercuts that had him hanging on. A barrage of unanswered punches moments later had referee Jerry Cantu waving it off at 1:14. Rodela never hit the canvas but had no problem with the stoppage.

In the co-feature, former lightweight champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (39-7, 28 KOs) rebounded from his third round KO loss to Kendal Holt with a stunning fifth round Knockout over Henry Aurad (14-5-1, 11 KOs) of Colombia. Diaz scored a knockdown in round three and dominated the fourth. Less than a minute into the fifth, a right hand sent Aurad stumbling across the ring. Two more clubbing right hands sent the Colombian crumbling to the canvas. Referee Eddie Hernandez would reach the count of five before deciding to call it off with 2:06 left in the round.

Also on the card, previously unbeaten Kenny Williams (3-1, 1 KO) suffered his first loss at the hands of William Williams (5-1, 3 KOs) of Portland Oregon. A three punch combination sent the Palm Springs fighter crashing to the canvas in the closing seconds of round one. He would beat the count on wobbly legs and make it out of the round but a barrage of punches in round two prompted referee Eddie Hernandez to step in and stop the beating at 1:36.

Middleweight Angel Osuna (9-3-1, 5 KOs) stopped Eddie Hunter (5-8-2, 2 KOs) in the opening round of a scheduled six. A left hook, right hand combination floored hunter midway through the opening round. Moments later, the same combination would end it as Hunter was lifted off his feet and hit the deck like a sack of potatoes.

Featherweight Julian Ramirez (3-0, 2 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Christian Navarro (0-1) to remain unbeaten. Scores were 40-36 all around.