Joselito Velazquez made his presence felt in the novel weight class with a decisive victory over the former world title challenger.

Velazquez defeated Andres Campos twice en route to an impressive knockout victory Friday night at the Poliforum in his adopted hometown of Cancun, Mexico. The victory earned Velazquez (20-1-1, 13 knockouts) the 115-pound regional championship belt and the WBC world ranking.

About halfway through the first round, a combination momentarily staggered Campos, who fell back against the ropes. Velazquez followed the punch, but Campos was able to survive the attack by clenching his fists or fending off the attacks in spurts.

Velazquez scored a knockdown in the second round, dropping Campos with a main left hook to the head. Campos defeated the count and again survived the onslaught of hooks and crosses that Velazquez threw after the action resumed.

Undeterred, Campos gave it his all in rounds four and five, trying to take Velazquez down to land some of his punches.

The fight ended in the latter part of the sixth round when a left hook to the head forced Campos back into the corner. Velazquez threw the combination while Campos was already on the court, prompting referee Javier Espinoza to immediately stop the fight (2:09).

Velazquez, who hails from Oaxaca, Mexico, previously fought on March 22, defeating Luis Araujo Arellano en route to a unanimous decision victory. On November 24, Velazquez defeated Pablo Carrillo by decision after 10 one-sided rounds.

The victories over Arrellano, Carrillo and now Campos all came in Cancun.

The 31-year-old has won his last five fights since a unanimous decision loss to former world champion Cristofer Rosales.

Velazquez has been trained for the past few years under Eddy Reynoso, who also trains Ring Magazine super middleweight champion and unified world titleholder Canelo Alvarez. He represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympics.

Campos drops to 16-2-1, 5 KOs. In his previous fight, which took place on May 18 in his hometown of Santiago, Chile, Campos fought Edinson Martinez to a majority draw.

The 28-year-old Campos, who is coached by Tony Tolj, challenged then-IBF flyweight world titleholder Clear Edwards on June 10 last year, losing by unanimous decision. Campos returned to action three months later, defeating Ben Ligas before winning by seventh-round knockout.

In the co-main event, junior featherweight Celex Castro, who also resides in Cancun, improved to 18-0, 14 KOs, defeating Argentine Ckari Cani Mansilla twice en route to a third-round knockout victory.

Castro dropped Mansilla (17-4, 12 KO) once in round two and again in round three before the fight was stopped at 2:34.

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Ronny Rios is considering retirement following his loss to WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball.

Rios, 34, was fighting for the world title for the third time after previous losses to Rey Vargas and Murodjon Akhmadaliev in the super bantamweight division.

He put up a brave performance and survived two knockdowns, but ultimately succumbed to Ball’s relentless pressure from Liverpool in the 10th round. He was thrown over the ropes, but bravely got under them and got back on his feet. His corner, however, had seen enough and threw in the towel to save him from further punishment.

“I’m disappointed,” Rios told BoxingScene. “I know everyone says you showed a lot of heart, but in the end I came to win. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to win, but having a forceful support system really helps me. It’s not the result I expected – people might say you’re a fighter – but I came here to win. I’m grateful to have the people I have on my side.

“The first one was a legitimate knockdown. I felt it and thought, “Oh, you’ve got to get back up and get back in the game.” The second punch was more of a shove, which I told the referee, but the last knockdown was justified.

“I heard a slight ringing – I wanted to continue – but the referee stopped the fight. But ultimately it’s not my job; It’s my duty to protect me and I understand. Ultimately, I am a warrior; I want to go out on the target, but everything’s fine.

During the build-up to the fight at the M&S Bank Arena, Rios was vocal that his experience with Ball would be key to victory. Rios was then surprised by Ball’s tactics for the 27-year-old player.

“It’s good,” he said. “Even though he’s only 27, he used a lot of tactics that were veteran tactics, little filthy moves and things like that. I wish the referee had warned him a little more, but it’s not my job. Ultimately, it is what it is.

I wish I had stuck to the game plan more. I wish I had used more movement, so this will probably haunt me for a while. My corner was saying hold on and keep moving, but I wasn’t listening. Ultimately, it’s all up to me. I won’t look at the good things; I’m going to look at the bad stuff. I went there; I tried; there was no resignation in me. I can leave if I want.

Rios retired in 2022, but returned with the ambition to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming world champion. After failing on the third attempt, success seems less and less likely.

“I don’t want to fight for the sake of fighting,” Rios said. “I want to fight for the world championship. So I don’t know [if I’ll continue] I currently have mixed feelings. I’ll go back and see if I really want to do it because ultimately I want to win the world championship. If I come back, it will mean becoming world champion and being the best. If I don’t do it, I’ll go there and give it my all. So I don’t mind leaving.”

ANTHONY CACACE says he would love to fight Leigh Wood but wants to pay well for it.

The 35-year-old currently holds the IBF super featherweight title and next faces mandatory challenger Eduardo Nunez. However, there are other options on the table for Cacace, such as fighting Wood or moving up to lightweight.

However, Cacace still has time on his side, as the fight with Nunez does not have to take place before March 2025. However, meeting Wood would mean losing the world title, and that came at a price.

“If I have to give up the belt, I want to pay to have the belt released and have the bag on top,” Cacace said.

“It’s not just leaving the club, it’s also giving up your crown and that’s your bargaining chip. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. If a fight with Leigh Wood were to come, I’m more than joyful and he knows it too. I’m more than joyful to do this fight, but I have to be prepared for the IBF and this fight and make sure I get a shot at the Nunez winner and his next fight.

Cacace knows what it’s like to wait for a world title fight and says Nunez deserves his chance.

“He stepped aside [for] the latter [against Warrington]– said the master.

“He has been on the bench for some time and deserves his chance. It’s nice to be the champion and not be in that position, but I know what position I’m in and it’s not nice to be there. For now it’s Nunez, but we have to work it out.