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Jamaine Ortiz Captures Title with TKO Win Friday

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Jamaine Ortiz Captures Title with TKO Win Friday
Photo Credit: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

Jamaine Ortiz of Worcester, Massachusetts, won an impressive fourth-round TKO in his WBA Continental USA Jr. Welterweight title fight with Christian Rubio Mino of Buenos Aires Friday at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, presented by Boxlab Promotions.

Ortiz (18-2-1, 8 KOs) scored his first victory since a narrow decision loss to Teofimo Lopez earlier this year, hoping to return to championship-level fights in the super lightweight division. The 10-round main event was broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

Ortiz, nicknamed “The Technician,” clearly felt he had something to prove. Normally known as a counterpuncher, Ortiz pressed the action in this fight. He walked down the 27-year-old journeyman Mino (24-10-2, 17 KOs) for all four rounds. Ortiz scored four knockdowns before the referee stopped the mismatch at two minutes of round four.

Jamaine Ortiz: ‘Huge Step Forward'

“This victory is a huge step forward for me,” said Ortiz. “Securing the WBA Continental USA title shows that all my hard work and commitment are paying off. It’s a great feeling to add this belt to my journey, and I’m just getting started.

Ortiz said he feels ready to face the division's champions. “Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela is at the top of my hit list, but I want everyone. My goal is to keep climbing and prove that I belong with the best at 140 pounds. I want to make my mark on this division and move one step closer to a world title.”

Kaipo Gallegos, an 18 year old southpaw from Las Vegas, won the WBA USA Continental Youth title. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions Jamaine Ortiz

Kaipo Gallegos, an 18 year old southpaw from Las Vegas, won the WBA USA Continental Youth title. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

In the co-main event, 18-year-old Kaipo Gallegos of Las Vegas (7-0-1, 6 KOs) defeated Iron Alvarez of Tampa (15-3, 11 KOs) for the WBA USA Continental Youth title by seventh-round TKO.

Gallegos and Alvarez gave fans an all-action fight. Gallegos kept the pressure on and ended the fight with a flurry of punches to the head of Alvarez, forcing the referee to stop the bout at 2:38 of round seven.

“Alvarez was as tough as they come, and he pushed me every round,” said Gallegos. “It was a battle from start to finish, and I knew I had to dig deep to come out on top. Winning the WBA Youth super featherweight title against a fighter like him is a huge accomplishment, and I’m grateful for all the hard work my team and I put in to make this moment happen.

“Now that I have this title, I’m ready for bigger challenges. I want to keep climbing the ranks and face the best in the division. My goal is to keep proving myself, and I’m ready to take on anyone standing between me and a world title shot.”

Undercard Results from Orlando

Alexander Rios (9-2, 3 KOs) defeated Felix Santana Jr (7-2, 3 KOs). Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

Lightweight Alexander Rios (9-2, 3 KOs) defeated Felix Santana Jr (7-2, 3 KOs) in a battle of Florida fighters by unanimous decision.  Scorecards read 58-56 by all three judges.

Chavez Barrientes of Las Vegas scored three knockdowns on the way to a decision win. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

Chavez Barrientes of Las Vegas scored three knockdowns on the way to a decision win. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

Super bantamweight Chavez Barrientes of Las Vegas (10-0, 6 KOs) defeated Noah Contreras of Fort Mojave, Arizona (9-2, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision. Barrientes scored a first-round knockdown, dropping Contreras with an overhand right. A left hook dropped Contreras again in round six, and a second overhand right dropped Contreras in round eight, but he survived to the final bell. Scorecards read 80-69 across the board for Barrientes.

John Laryea of Ghana scored an upset win. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

John Laryea of Ghana scored an upset win. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

In another fight with 80-69 scorecards, featherweight John Laryea of Ghana (14-0-1, 11 KOs) defeated Alejandro Majia of Nicaragua (19-10, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision. Laryea scored a first-round knockdown. Majia also lost a point for hitting Laryea while he was down from a slip.

Super lightweight Willmank Brito, a Venezuelan fighting out of Rosarito, Mexico (13 -6-2, 10 KOs) handed Tayre Jones of Fort Lauderdale, Florida (11-1, 6 KOs) his first loss by unanimous decision. Jones suffered a knockdown in round four, counted although it may have been a slip. Brito lost a point in round five for holding. Scorecards gave Brito a narrow win, 57-56, 57-55 and 57-55.

Malik Lewis (8-1, 5 KOs) defeated Tristan Gallichan (5-1-2, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scorecards read 58-56 across the board for Lewis.

Miguel Diaz sent his hometown fans happy with a win in his pro debut. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

Miguel Diaz sent his hometown fans happy with a win in his pro debut. Photo: Joseph Correa, Boxlab Promotions

Super middleweight Miguel Diaz of Orlando won his pro debut over Caleb Hall of Colorado by second-round TKO.

Gayle Falkenthal is an award-winning boxing journalist and the only woman journalist who is a full voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). She is West Coast Bureau Chief based in San Diego, California.