Unbeaten super welterweight prospect Victor “TAKO” Reynoso extended his perfect record to 12-0 (7 KOs) in the main event, with a composed six-round unanimous decision over an inspired Ray “Prince” Oliveira Jr. (10-5, 2 KOs).  Scores were 60-54 (twice) and 59-55 for the Dominican-born 32-year-old.

There was extra meaning behind this matchup. Reynoso grew up watching Oliveira Jr. compete as an amateur and now found himself across the ring from the same fighter he once studied from the stands.

With his famous father, Ray Oliveira Sr., serving as head trainer in his corner, New Bedford, MA’s Oliveira Jr. started fast, rushing out of his corner at the opening bell to pressure Reynoso behind a high guard. 

While Reynoso is not one to shy away from a brawl, he promised a disciplined performance beforehand and delivered exactly that. 

After feeling Oliveira out in the first, Reynoso began asserting himself with a stiff jab in round two, using his height and reach advantages to create distance and counter effectively with his right hand.

Victor mixed sharp combinations upstairs with thudding hooks to the body in rounds two and three, gradually slowing down Oliveira Jr., who tried repeatedly to pressure his way inside.
Reynoso often beat Ray to the punch, countered cleanly over the top, and never allowed the bout to devolve into a slugfest.

By rounds four and five, Reynoso’s body work had Oliveira backing toward the ropes, and a fourth-round sequence had the crowd buzzing as Oliveira absorbed several heavy shots. To his credit, Oliveira weathered the storm and continued his march forward whenever Reynoso slowed his pace.  Reynoso fought his most disciplined fight to date, however, staying composed, circling out of danger, and closing strong to earn the unanimous decision.

“He knew that the only way he could beat me was to go toe-to-toe, and I wasn’t going to give him that opportunity,” said Reynoso immediately after the bout.  “I used my jab intelligently and slowed him down to the body so that I could walk him into something up top.”

The win sets up a number of possibilities for Reynoso, who is determined to stay active in 2026.

“Let CES set them up, and I’ll knock them down,” said Reynoso. “I want to fight three more times this year.  The more active I am, the better.”

El Uno: Stamford’s Marroquin edges Macauley in Battle of Unbeatens

In the highly anticipated co-feature, Douglas “El Uno” Marroquin (9-0, 5 KOs) overcame a cut over his right eye to win a competitive majority decision over German Rufus Macauley (4-1, 3 KOs) in a collision of undefeated middleweight prospects.  Scores were 58-56 (twice) for Marroquin and 57-57.

The bout was a clash of styles, with the stocky, 5’6 Marroquin doing his best work inside and to the body while the 6’0 southpaw Macauley created distance with his wide stance and relied on his long left hand.

The half-Guatemalan, half-Mexican Marroquin started strong, snapping a stiff jab and working inside with furious body shots.

A clash of heads in round four cut Marroquin’s right eye, allowing Macauley to find his rhythm.  The 28-year-old Berliner showed that he did not fly across the Atlantic just for a paycheck, increasing the pressure in the middle rounds as Marroquin attempted to slow the pace.

Macauley’s late surge made the final rounds tense, but Marroquin’s early work and cleaner counters proved enough to secure the victory.

For the Marroquin, who trains in Norfolk under former pro boxer Wilner Mendez, this was less about flash and more about resilience.

“I have grit, I showed heart, and I went up against an undefeated fighter tonight who wouldn’t back down,” said the 27-year-old.  “I’m going to continue to entertain the fans who spend their hard-earned money to support us.”

Ayowole Tom Jones and Jhonny Dos Santos Steal the Show Once Again

When Ayowole Tom Jones (1-0-1) and Jhony Dos Santos first met last July at Mohegan Sun Arena, they delivered four rounds of non-stop action that ended in a draw. 

Saturday’s rematch picked up right where they left off.

Jones struck first, dropping Dos Santos with a right uppercut in round one.  Dos Santos responded in round two, flooring the 6’2 Jones with a series of head shots.

Controversy followed in round three when referee Eddie Claudio ruled what appeared to be a low blow a knockdown scored by Jones – a call that may have been the difference as both men emptied their tanks in the fourth and final round. 

The judges scored it 37-36 (2x) and 37-37 for Jones, giving him the first win of his professional career.

Macari Delivers for his Hometown Fans

Cranston’s own Tyler “My Time” Macari (3-0, 3 KOs) gave his hometown crowd exactly what they braved the cold to see: a quick, emphatic knockout.

The 26-year-old dropped late replacement Elijah Hasman with a massive left hook midway through the opening round, then poured on body shots until referee Joey Lupino mercifully stepped in at 2:51.

It was Macari’s third straight first-round knockout, and another reminder of why the former college basketball standout is becoming one of Rhode Island’s most exciting young prospects.

Other Action

Johnston-based Dominican welterweight Kevin Mojica (4-0, 4 KOs) kept his perfect record intact, stopping Mexico’s Ismael Rodriguez with a brutal left hook to the liver.  The time was 1:02 of the first stanza.

New Bedford super bantamweight Josh Alvarado (4-1, 2 KOs) made it four straight wins after losing his pro debut, annihilating Michigan’s Michael Thornton with a right hand to the head at 2:12 of round 1.  Thornton beat the count but was unwilling to continue after feeling Alvarado’s superior firepower.

In the opening bout of the night, Fall River’s Roberto Colon (1-1) kicked things off in style, dropping Puerto Rican John Medina four times en route to his first professional victory. The stoppage came at 0:22 of round 2.

For more information on CES Winter Brawl 2026 and all other CES events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION
About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

Comedian Lil Mo Mozzarella brought laughter between bouts, keeping the atmosphere lively throughout the evening. The night also featured a heartfelt tribute to Providence native and lifelong boxing fan Nicky Cardillo, who passed away unexpectedly at age 58 on December 21, 2025, leaving behind his beloved daughter Anjali. The ceremony was emotional and fitting — a reminder that boxing, at its best, is about community.

Liguori Stops Williamson in Statement Performance

Gianni “The Ghost” Liguori (5-0-1, 4 KOs) passed the most important test of his young career.

The 21-year-old Branford, Connecticut native showcased sharp technique and poise beyond his years, stopping St. Louis puncher Deonta Williamson (3-7, 3 KOs) after three completed rounds.

Under the tutelage of world-class trainer Stacey McKinley, Liguori started fast, firing with both hands to immediately establish command.  Williamson, whose three wins have all come by knockout, crouched low and looked to counter with big left hooks. 

While the fighters had similar hand speed, Liguori’s superior fundamentals controlled most of the exchanges.  A stiff jab set the tone. Clean right hands, uppercuts and hooks followed. By round three, Williamson was visibly fatigued. He took a knee in round two and, at the end of round three, his corner halted the contest — much to Liguori’s disappointment.

“I needed a tough test for my experience,” Liguori said. “I did my best and he was durable up until his corner stopped it.”

New England boxing’s future is bright with rising prospects like Liguori, who turned professional in 2024 and signed with CES Boxing in July 2025.

Lamont Powell Puts all Middleweights on Notice with Explosive First-Round Finish

After 3 long years away from the ring, Lamont Powell (7-0, 3 KOs) wasted little time in getting back to his winning ways, detonating a right-hand flush on Colombia’s Rodolfo Puentes’ (21-14-2, 16 KOs) chin just seconds into the bout.  The Barranquilla native crashed with a thud, causing referee Joey Lupino to immediately waive off the contest at 23 seconds of the first round.

“Anyone at 160 can get it,” declared the 32-year-old Powell afterwards. “This year, we want all the smoke, and I want to win a title.”

An active Powell has plenty of opposition to choose from, as CES also promotes fellow undefeated middleweight prospects Douglas Marroquin (9-0, 5 KOs) of Stamford, CT and Johnston, RI’s James Maner (6-0, 2 KOs).

Captain America Delivers: Evans Outworks Young in Pro Debut Win

At 38 years old, Tom Evans (1-0) proved that conditioning and determination matter.

The North Providence patrolman — who hadn’t competed since May 2020 — outworked the younger Katriel Young (1-6, 1 KO) en route to a shutout unanimous decision (40-36 x3).

Despite being 12 years older than the 26-year-old Michigan native, Evans set the faster pace, pressed forward and never let his hands stop.

Trained by Peter Manfredo Sr., Evans came out blazing in round one, firing hooks and right hands that forced Young back. A thudding right hand to the body late in the opening frame drew a loud reaction from the crowd, and tensions briefly flared at the bell as Evans continued pressing forward before the referee intervened.

Young had moments, but Evans mixed in steady body work and maintained a pace that the younger fighter struggled to match.

Evans was warned in round three for holding and hitting, but it did nothing to shift momentum. He closed strong, hurting Young late with a final surge of combinations.

After four rounds, Evans was declared the winner with scores of 40-36 on all judges’ scorecards.

The married father of three donated his entire purse to the Central Falls Youth Baseball Program, which he founded in 2020 with proceeds from his last CES MMA fight. The program expects 150 boys and girls to register later this month for the spring baseball and softball seasons.

Some wins are bigger than boxing. This was one of them.

Duggan Stays Red Hot, Secures Sixth Win in Six Months

Ireland’s Cian Duggan (6-0, 5 KOs) continues to stay busy — and dangerous.

The 23-year-old Dubliner recorded his sixth win in six months, stopping veteran David Minter (4-9, 3 KOs) at 2:52 of round three.

It took Duggan two rounds to figure out the unorthodox Californian, but once he did, Minter was in trouble.  A stiff jab in round three stunned Minter, and a sharp uppercut followed by a right hookdropped the 43-year-old for the count.

Other Action

Nicholas “Bricks” Pecora (1-1, 1 KO) earned redemption in emphatic fashion.

After being stopped in two rounds in his pro debut last November, the 25-year-old Fairfield, Connecticut cruiserweight entered Saturday seeking his first professional win.

He found it quickly.

Jacob Fawley (0-1), a 6’2” southpaw from Portage, Michigan, came out aggressively but suffered a shoulder injury during an exchange. Pecora capitalized immediately, landing two right hands to the head that dropped Fawley to a knee. The bout was stopped at 0:57 of round one.

Axel “Smooth” Lopez (4-0, 3 KOs) opened the evening with a disciplined performance, earning a four-round unanimous shutout (40-36 x3) over durable veteran Stephen Davis (1-9-1, 1 KO).

The 27-year-old Fall River native, who trains at Bernardo Boxing under Aaron Bernardo, controlled the action against the switch hitting Davis with a steady jab and consistent body work to keep his perfect record intact.

For more information on Rhode Wars 5 and all other CES events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

In the main event, the undefeated Hogan improved to 22-0 (18 KOs) with a fifth-round stoppage of Ghana’s Patrick Allotey (45-11, 35 KOs), a battle-tested veteran who entered the bout with more knockouts than Hogan had total fights.

From the opening bell, it was a tactical battle of Hogan’s southpaw range against Allotey’s orthodox pressure. The Boston native remained composed against the experienced challenger, who had previously shared the ring with world-class opponents including former jr. middleweight world champion Jaime Munguia, contenders Serheii Bohachuk and Chordale Booker, and prospect Tommy Hyde.

Hogan began to take control in the middle rounds, dropping Allotey in the fourth with a sharp left hand. Tensions escalated in the fifth, when Allotey felt that he was hit behind the head.  The Ghanaian responded moments later with a hammer punch to the top of Hogan’s head, prompting a point deduction from referee Johnny Callas. It was the beginning of the end, as the frustrated Allotey seemed to be looking for a way out of the fight.  Moments later, Allotey grabbed Hogan and attempted to knee him in the head, prompting referee Johnny Callas to immediately halt the contest.

“I had a tough, quality opponent in there tonight,” said Hogan immediately after the bout.  “He punched hard and went more rounds than I thought he would. I wish he would have been a bit more classy with the way things ended, but I was breaking him down and I know that I would have gotten him out of there one way or another.” 

With the victory, Hogan not only made a successful first defense of his NABF title, but was also able to show how he could handle an experienced fighter who has faced plenty of world-level opposition.

“I want to fight Connor Coyle next,” said Hogan when asked who he wants.  “We have similar records and are in the same division, so we should fight each other.  We can’t just keep fighting steppingstones and veterans, we have to fight someone who is undefeated and take someone’s ‘0’.  So, Connor Coyle, I’m calling you out.  You’re next – sign the contract.”

Moore Announces Arrival with Dominant NABF Title Victory

In the co-feature, Amelia Moore (4-0, 1 KO) delivered a disciplined, one-sided masterclass to capture the vacant NABF Lightweight Championship, defeating Canada’s Bonnie Hunter (6-7, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision with scores of 80-72, 80-72, and 80-71.

The bout, originally scheduled for November before being postponed, saw both fighters enter with ample preparation – and Moore made the most of it. The 2020 U.S. Olympic alternate showcased her elite amateur pedigree, controlling the action with superior speed, footwork, and sharp punching.

Moore stunned Hunter in the third round with a powerful right hand and dictated the pace throughout, consistently evading incoming shots with sharp head movement. Despite Hunter’s trademark durability, she was unable to mount any sustained offense or trouble Moore at any point over eight rounds. With the win, Moore positions herself firmly within reach of a world title opportunity.

“I’d really like to fight [WBA Champion] Stephanie Han,” said Moore, who is ranked #2 in the world with the WBA at super lightweight.  “I know we would make for a great fight.”

Tevin Regis survives scare to stop late-replacement Romel Tsanimp

Dorchester’s Tevin ‘The Hitman’ Regis (7-0, 6 KOs) overcame early adversity in his super lightweight bout to remain unbeaten, earning a third-round TKO over late replacement Romel Tsanimp (3-9).

The power-punching Regis was originally scheduled to face fellow unbeaten prospect Anuel Rosa, who withdrew due to injury.  Tsanimp answered the call on seven days’ notice to save the day, but he almost ruined Regis’ perfect record in the process.

Regis appeared on the verge of a quick finish after dropping Tsanimp with a stiff jab in round one. Just as ‘The Hitman’ went in to finish the job, the Baltimore-based Ecuadorian caught him with a looping right hand to the temple that sent Regis to the canvas and had him on shaky legs at the bell. 

Regis regained control in round two, reasserting himself behind a punishing jab and sharp right hands as the exhausted Tsanimp began to fade. Just as the action was heating up, the Ecuadorian chose not to answer the bell for round three, giving Regis another stoppage victory.

Other Action

Marshfield welterweight Joe Bush (7-0, 5 KOs) returned from a year layoff to stop Giovanni Gutierrez (11-18-1, 6 KOs) after three rounds. Bush overwhelmed the normally durable veteran with short left hooks and heavy right hands on the inside, steadily breaking down the Nicaraguan.  Gutierrez bravely fought back in spurts but decided that he had enough at the end of round three.

Nashua, NH featherweight Christian Moura continued to impress as one of the most promising young prospects in the CES stable, improving to 3-0 (3 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Rashad Hicks (2-7-1, 2 KOs). Moura dropped Hicks with a left hook in the opening round before trapping him in the corner in round two and unleashing a sustained attack that forced the referee to stop the bout one minute into the round.

Saugus’s Lamin Conteh made a successful professional debut, earning a unanimous decision over Steven Farrar in a 4-round jr. middleweight contest. Conteh used his reach effectively throughout the contest and punctuated his performance with a fourth-round knockdown via left hook. Farrar had his best moment in round three with a counter left hand but was unable to build on it.

Irish lightweight Conor ‘Bullet’ O’Donovan traveled overseas for his professional debut and wasted no time making an impression, stopping John Medina in the first round. O’Donovan scored two knockdowns—first with a short right hand and then with a body shot—before finishing the fight with a final left hand at 2:04 of round one.

In a battle of debuting fighters, Pennsylvania’s Jose Perez Marrero (1-0, 1 KO) scored a highlight-reel knockout over Lawrence, Massachusetts native Dimas Colon (0-1). Marrero dropped Colon twice in the opening round with left hands before ending the bout in round two, catching Colon with a short left that produced a delayed knockdown for the count at 2:09.

For more information on North Shore Knock Out and all CES events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

ABOUT CES BOXING

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

Mashantucket, CT – Two names that have defined toughness inside and outside the ring collide on Saturday, October 11 when CES Boxing presents Bloodlines: Gotti vs. Hagler at the Great Cedar Showroom in Foxwoods Resort Casino.Tickets for Bloodlines: Gotti vs. Hagler are available now at CES Fights or Ticketmaster.  Purchase yours now as this event is sure to sell out!In the highly anticipated main event, John Gotti III, grandson of the infamous “Teflon Don” John Gotti, squares off against James Hagler Jr., grandson of middleweight legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler in a 6-round light heavyweight bout.Gotti III, who competes in both MMA and boxing, is best known for his two exhibition bouts against Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr.  Their first meeting in June 2023 ended in chaos after a controversial disqualification for excessive trash talking led Gotti to throw several punches at Mayweather, sparking a post-fight melee.  The rematch in February 2024 drew international attention and cemented Gotti’s reputation as one of combat sport’s most polarizing figures.Now, the Oyster Bay, New York resident meets Atlanta’s Hagler Jr.—whose grandfather remains one of the greatest middleweights of all time—in a showdown that pits two bloodlines with iconic legacies against one another.“Foxwoods has hosted some of the most legendary fights in New England history, and Bloodlines has the makings of another unforgettable night,” said CES Boxing Founder Jimmy Burchfield Sr. “The names Gotti and Hagler are synonymous with toughness, and this event gives fight fans the chance to witness history when their grandsons share the ring.”The co-feature spotlights one of New England’s most exciting fighters, Jacob “Lefty” Marrero (10-0, 7 KOs) in an 8-round super lightweight contest.  The 26-year-old Bridgeport, CT native signed with CES Boxing earlier this year after impressing the promoter with a blend of speed, skills and charisma.  Also featured is rising super lightweight star Amelia Moore (2-0, 1 KO), who takes on fellow unbeaten Victoria “Fury”Mason (1-0) in a 6-round showdown.  Moore, an amateur standout and cornerstone of the Boston Butchers, earned her first professional stoppage in February.  The WBA #6 and WBO #8 world ranked contender looks to extend her perfect record against Mason, an MMA veteran of 17 fights, including 4 in the UFC.Several other New England prospects will be in action, including Columbia, CT’s Stevie Jane Coleman, who collides with Canadian Bonnie Hunter (6-5, 3 KOs) in a 6-round welterweight matchup.  New Haven, CT native Kevante Wineglass (2-0, 1 KO) battles Yeison Berdugo in a super lightweight bout, while middleweight Anthony Nieves (1-0) of Hamden, CT, clashes against Brazilian Guilherme Da Silva (0-4) in a 4-round contest.

For more information on Bloodlines: Gotti vs. Hagler and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.
INFORMATIONAbout CES BoxingCES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III”and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.
About Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino, the largest resort casino in the Northeast, has set the standard for innovation and excellence in gaming and hospitality for over 33 years. Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods continues to redefine the resort experience by offering a dynamic mix of world-class gaming, award-winning dining, top-tier entertainment, and family-friendly attractions.
  
A destination like no other, Foxwoods offers over 1,900 luxury hotel rooms, over 175,000 square feet of flexible space for meetings and events, shopping at Tanger Outlets, expansive gaming floors throughout the resort, and unmatched amenities. The entertainment portfolio features globally acclaimed artists, exclusive live performances, and premier events hosted at its renowned venues, including the Premier Theater and Great Cedar Showroom.
  
Through strategic partnerships with leading brands like DraftKings Sportsbook, Hell’s Kitchen, and Great Wolf Lodge, Foxwoods continues to expand its offerings and deliver elevated, curated experiences for guests. The new brand campaign, “This Is How We Resort,” reflects Foxwoods’ commitment to creating unique, personalized moments—from thrilling gaming adventures to relaxing escapes—that redefine what it means to “resort”. For more information, visit www.foxwoods.com.

Both fighters were familiar with the building, having competed there just 11 weeks earlier. Fontanez stopped Noah Kidd in four rounds on June 21, while Correa stunned Francis Hogan early before being halted in the 4th. On this night, they gave the fans an 8-round middleweight war that started as a chess match and ended as a battle of attrition.

Fontanez, 29, controlled the early action with a disciplined jab and straight left hand, banking the opening rounds. But momentum shifted in the 5th when a cut opened over his left eye, forcing trainer Alex Rivera to stay busy in the corner. Correa, 26, sensed urgency and came forward with explosive combinations, taking several of the late frames while Fontanez looked for counters.  The blood continued to flow every time Fontanez was touched over the eye, but he refused to wilt.

After eight grueling rounds, the judges rendered a majority draw: 76-76 (twice) and 77-75 Fontanez.

Walsh makes a devastating statement against Luna

In the co-feature, WBC US Silver Featherweight Champion “King” Kevin Walsh (18-0, 10 KOs) delivered a first-round demolition of Bronx veteran Angel “El Gato” Luna (19-17-1, 11 KOs). Walsh immediately blitzed Luna with overhand rights and uppercuts, flooring the normally durable Dominican early. Luna beat the count, but was dropped again by a vicious left hook, prompting referee Johnny Callas to halt the fight at 1:20 of round one.

As team Walsh celebrated in the ring, former opponent Tremaine “The Mighty Midget” Williams crashed the post-fight interview, publicly calling for a rematch of their razor-close battle earlier this year at Foxwoods. Walsh, who has reeled off eight straight wins since 2024 while collecting multiple regional titles, may instead look beyond New England for global opportunities.

Undercard Action

Undefeated welterweight prospect Jaydell “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazmino (8-0, 7 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career but dropped Nicaragua’s Giovanni “BabyFace” Gutierrez (11-15-1, 6 KOs) four times en route to a wide unanimous decision. Scores read 60-51 (twice) and 60-50. The towering 24-year-old from Sundown, NH showed poise after Gutierrez survived round one, systematically breaking down the shorter Gutierrez over the next three rounds while showcasing patience and versatility in his attack.  Gutierrez used all of the experience gained over 27 fights to survive the onslaught and fought back valiantly despite absorbing debilitating blows to the head and body.

In a crowd-pleasing local middleweight bout, Lowell fan favorite Jayson Colon (2-0, 1 KO) survived a late rally from Winchester based Brazlian Jhony Dos Santos (0-3-1) to earn a majority decision. Colon controlled the first two rounds with his superior height and reach, but Dos Santos stormed back, hurting Colon multiple times in the second half of the fight. Scores were 39-37 (twice) for Colon and 38-38.

Ireland’s Cian Duggan made a successful pro debut, stopping Natick’s Steven Farrar (0-1) in round three of their scheduled 4-round welterweight contest. The sharper Duggan looked like he could end matters whenever he chose to, landing sharp left jabs and right hands over the tentative Farrar.   The Irishman turned up the pressure in round 3, dropping Farrar twice and forcing referee Melissa Kelly to waive off the bout at 2:43 of the round.

In the opening bout, Nashua’s Christian Moura (1-0, 1 KO) made short work of Bryan Cox (0-6), stopping the Texan in the second round of a 4-round super bantamweight bout. Making his pro debut only 30 minutes from his hometown, the 26-year-old Moura was greeted to thunderous cheers.  Trained by Alex Rivera alongside Fontanez and Rashidi Ellis, Moura fought through a competitive first round before asserting himself against Cox, who was wildly winging punches. Cox went down during an exchange in round two and was unable to continue, giving Moura a TKO victory at 1:00 of the frame.

For more information about CES and its events, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

“It’s a great win. I’m happy to be back and stay active on a great card,” Ortiz said moments after the victory.  “It’s just another step for me to fight for a world title.”

Bautista, a late replacement for the injured Steve Claggett, entered the fight riding a 16-bout winning streak and had never been stopped in his career.  Standing 6’0, the Dominican looked to establish distance with his jab early, but Ortiz wasted no time cutting the ring off.

Fighting initially out of the southpaw stance, Ortiz measured his man before switching orthodox to launch the first attack, trapping Bautista in the corner. In the second round, Ortiz began to impose his will—landing a sharp right hand off a feint before following with a double jab and left hook. Bautista attempted to answer with his own hooks to the head and body, but Ortiz turned the exchanges in his favor, pinning the Dominican against the ropes and digging to both head and body.

Ortiz closed the show in round three, pouncing on Bautista and teeing off along the ropes. A glancing right hand to the top of Bautista’s head floored him for the first time. Though Bautista beat the count, Ortiz immediately went back to the body, dropping him again and forcing referee Alicia Collins to halt the contest at 1:32 of the round.

With the victory, Ortiz, 29, remains ranked in the top 15 by all four world sanctioning bodies (IBF #8, WBA #10, WBO #11, WBC #13). The Worcester native has his eyes set on the division’s elite—particularly WBC Champion Subriel Matias and WBA Champion Gary Antuanne Russell.

“I’d like to fight Subriel Matias, a fellow Boricua,” declared the half-Dominican, half-Puerto Rican Ortiz. “I fought a fellow Dominican tonight. I don’t mind fighting my own kind, I think it makes for great rivalries.  I’d like to challenge Subriel or Gary Russell.”

Ortiz is no stranger to the championship level, having dropped a razor-thin, disputed decision to WBO Champion Teofimo Lopez in February 2024.  With Saturday’s emphatic finish, “The Technician” inches closer to another crack at a world title later this year or in early 2026.

For more information on CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

For additional updates and event information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

ABOUT CES BOXING

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.”  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.

The fight topped a massive pro-am show at the nearly sold-out Lowell Memorial Auditorium that was televised live on Swerve Combat TV. 

16 years after competing at this very venue as an amateur, Ellis showed his local supporters why the welterweight world champions are so wary to face him. 

“I want to thank everyone that came out,” said a gracious Ellis after the fight.  “I first fought here when I was 16 years old at the Golden Gloves. 16 years later, I’m headlining here as a professional in front of my friends and family.” 

Ellis’ skills were on full display: blazing speed, sharp combinations, and the sneaky power that has stopped his last 3 opponents and reminded everyone of just how good Rashidi has become.

Ellis began the scheduled 10-round contest with quick combinations, hitting Ruiz several times before dancing out of range. 

Ruiz, a Honduran based in Miami, Florida, is a normally durable fighter who has seen the final round against the likes of Henry Lebron, Gabe Flores Jr. and Alex Martin.

Against Ellis, Ruiz could not make it out of round 3.  Whenever the Scorpion tried to engage, Ellis countered him with lightning-fast strikes.  A picture-perfect counter left hook to the body, hook to the head combination in round 2 dropped Ruiz, who beat the count at the bell.

Knowing his prey had not fully recovered, the ‘Savage with a Smile’ pounced on Ruiz in round 3, trapping the Honduran against the ropes and teeing off with a two-fisted assault to Ruiz’s head and body.  Ruiz bravely tried to respond, but a left hook dropped him for an 8-count.  Ruiz again beat the count, but a counter left to the body had him back on the canvas, forcing the referee to step in at 2:19 of round 3.

“You already know who I want: [WBO World Champion] Brian Norman Jr.,” said Rashidi moments after the bout. “I’ve been calling him out for the last few years. It’s getting to the point where he won’t be able to avoid me and I’m telling you; it’s going to be easy work.

Ellis and Norman Jr., who impressively stopped contender Jin Sasaki in Japan on Thursday, are on a collision course.  Currently ranked #8 by the WBO, there is only so long that Norman will be able to delay meeting the talented Ellis.

Hogan stops Correa; calls out Booker

In the co-feature, WBC US Silver Middleweight champion Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (20-0, 17 KOs) overcame a shaky moment in round 2 against Venezuela’s Esneiker Correa (16-6-1, 14 KOs) to roar back and stop the 26-year-old in round 4 of their 10-round middleweight contest.

Escorted to the ring by local legend “Irish” Micky Ward and trained by Mark DeLuca, Weymouth’s Hogan was greeted warmly by the boisterous crowd. 

Things started off well for the 6’2 Hogan, who used his superior height and reach to keep Correa at bay behind a stiff jab while the Miami-based Venezuelan fired rights and lefts to Hogan’s midsection. 

Frank returned the favor in round 2, but a low blow caused the Venezuelan to take a knee.  Once recovered, Correa came alive, landing a series of shots including a right to the head which seemed to hurt Hogan.

“I knew he was a tough opponent,” admitted Frank immediately after the fight.  “He just caught me with a big shot and stunned me.” 

The 24-year-old remained calm, however, tightening up his defense behind a high guard and picking his shots to survive the round. 

Correa became frustrated after a back and forth round 3, drawing a warning from the referee after intentionally headbutting Hogan in round 4.  The Venezuelan was lucky that a point wasn’t deducted, but Hogan would not be needing the extra points on this night.  The fighters traded, and a hellacious left hand to the body dropped Correa in agony for the full count. 

“He definitely took me off my game a bit,” said Hogan. “I didn’t realize that he was able to throw awkward shots like that from all angles, but I stuck to my gameplan and stayed calm like my corner told me and I ended up getting him out of there with a body shot.”

The colorful Hogan, who is penciled in to headline a card at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 19, did not hesitate when asked who he’d like to fight next.

“I leave that up to my trainers Mark and Matty Ryan,” said Hogan, “but I do want to call somebody out that used to talk a lot of s@$% about me: Chordale Booker, I said it at the media workout and I’m going to say it again. If you want this smoke, come get it. I’ll put you to sleep over 10.  No more talking.  Let’s go!”

Fontanez remains Blessed

It took a few rounds, but Michael “Blessed Southpaw” Fontanez (11-0, 7 KOs) eventually figured out Noah Kidd (10-15-2, 5 KOs) to keep his unbeaten record intact in an 8-round middleweight bout.

‘Salsa Mike’ won the first 2 rounds using an educated right jab and long left hand, but he had to be wary of Kidd’s unorthodox style.  With his hands down and switching between conventional and orthodox stances where he launched sudden leaping shots, the Missouri native reminded many of Emanuel “The Drunken Master” Augustus. 

Undeterred, the Nashua, NH resident turned his assault to Kidd’s body in round 3, landing thundering shots. Kidd fell to the canvas after a left hand strayed low. Once the action resumed, Fontanez trapped Kidd in the corner and landed a border line shot that folded Kidd to the canvas.  The referee again ruled the punch a low blow, this time deducting 2 points from Fontanez.

Determined not to let the fight get away from him, the Blessed Southpaw pressured Kidd to the ropes and landed 2 body shots, these ones legal, that dropped the Missourian to his knees in round 4.  Kidd beat the count but was met with a flurry of punches that convinced the referee to halt the action at 2:58 of the round. 

After the bout, Fontanez called for showdowns with Pablo Valdez or Fernando Vargas Jr.

Other Action

The last time Adrian “Tonka” Sosa entered a boxing ring, he suffered his first loss to fellow unbeaten prospect John Mannu in Melbourne, Australia.  3 years later, the Lawrence native made a resounding return to his home state, dominating Giovanni Gutierrez (11-14-1, 6 KOs) over 4 rounds before stopping the Nicaraguan veteran in round 5 to improve his record to 13-1 with 9 KOs. Time of the stoppage was 0:22 of the round.

Led to the ring by newly inducted Hall-of-Famer Vinny Paz, New Hampshire’s Jaydell “The New Pazmanian Devil” Pazmino (7-0, 7 KOs) wasted little time in demolishing Aelio Mesquita (22-19-1, 20 KOs), dispatching the Brazilian in just 34 seconds of round 1. 

In a cross-town war, New Bedford’s Josh Alvarado (3-1, 1 KO) outlasted Lawrence-based Puerto Rican Kevin Rodriguez (4-3, 2 KOs) over 4 rounds.  Scores were 40-26 (2x) and 39-37 for the 24-year-old Alvarado.

In the opening bout of the evening, Cork, Ireland’s Brian Long (2-0, 1 KO) pounded out a 4 round unanimous decision over Winchester based Brazilian Jhony Dos Santos (0-2).

For more information about ‘Mill City Mayhem’ and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION
About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.