Jamie Munguia wins exciting 12 round decision over Gabriel Rosado

It was undefeated, former WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30 KO’s) and long-time contender “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KO’s) on Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Both fighters know a win inches them closer to a world title fight at middleweight. For Munguia, a victory over an opponent like Rosado, who has a clear edge in experience with fights against Gennady Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs, Peter Quillin, and several other top champions and contenders, is the signature win he needs. For “King” Gabe, a win over an undefeated prospect like Munguia would more than likely earn him another ticket to the big dance.

While Rosado has a much more impressive resume in terms of whom he has fought, his stunning knockout victory over Bektemir Melikuziev paved the way for a chance to upset the Munguia applecart. Lead to the ring like a lamb to the slaughter, Rosado emerged with his handheld high.

In the end, though, unbeaten WBC and WBO #1middleweight Munguia (38-0, 30 KO’s) won an exciting 12 rounder over WBA #4, WBC #9, WBO #11 rated super middleweight Rosado (26-14-1, 15 KOs). Scores were 118-110, 119-109, 117-111.

Rosado,35, might have come into the fight with 13 losses, but what an old-school warrior. He landed some hard shots, in spots, throughout the bout. But the exceptional conditioning of ten years younger Munguia allowed him to outwork and out-land Rosado.

Munguia won most of the early rounds due to activity and accuracy. Rosado cracked Munguia with a hard right in round four, but Munguia fought back. Both fighters traded hard shots in round six. The championship rounds fans had the fans on their feet as Munguia unleashed an attack on Rosado, seemingly hurting him.

“I didn’t think that Rosado would last that long in the ring,” said Jaime Munguia. “He was very resilient, but I think I showed in the ninth round, and on that, I was dominating the fight. I am happy we were able to take the victory today. Now, I want to go back to the gym, work on a few things and fight for a world title eliminator or a world championship at 160.”

“I think I did all I could to win, the scorecards are bullshit. I won the fight,” said Rosado

Undercard

Welterweight Alexis “Lex” Rocha (18-1, 12 KO’s) stopped Jeovanis Barraza (22-2, 15 KO’s) in round nine.

Undefeated middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard (21-0, 11 KO’s) outworked Paul Valenzuela Jr (26-9, 17 KO’s) over 10 to win by unanimous decision.

Female flyweight Arely Mucino (30-3-2, 10 KO’s) won an unpopular 10 round split decision over Jacky Calvo (14-7-2, 1 KO).

Lightweight William Zepeda (24-0, 22 KO’s) stopped John Moralde (24-5, 13 KO’s) in round four. The stoppage was the correct call.