This month we got some fan-free boxing cards courtesy of Top Rank and the bubbles in Las Vegas and Mexico City. And while there were some hiccups and positive RONA tests that halted some bouts, for the most part things went off without a hitch.
Before moving on to what to watch in July, lets recap some of the happenings of the month of June.
First, and most importantly, boxing lost a young star in the making. BSO would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of talented young Alejandro “Rusito” Gonzales who passed away on June 29, 2020 at only 21 years old from cancer. Alejandro was a talented young star, 15-0 before he had to stop boxing to focus on his health. Too young but the way he fought bravely in the ring and bravely against cancer will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Champ.
On a more positive note, boxing legend Roberto Duran who was hospitalized earlier this month due to complications from Coronavirus announced that he has beaten the virus and is heading home to recover.
For some in the ring action, we had a few highlight reel worthy KOs this month.
Elvis Rodriguez made it look almost too easy with a first round KO over Daniel Murray. It’s not often that a jab knocks a man out the ring. Here it is if you missed it:
One punch sent him out the ring 😯
Elvis Rodriguez with the impressive KO of Daniel Murray. #PedrazaLesPierre pic.twitter.com/cMXpHXjNAL
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) July 3, 2020
Sergio Sanchez and Gustavo Pina were scheduled for a six-round matchup, but you don’t get paid overtime. So, Sanchez ended it in 3, in devastating fashion:
Oh my GOODNESS, Sergio Sanchez! The uppercut left was deadly, and Gustavo Alan Pina was *O U T* #TopRankBoxing pic.twitter.com/qGUYXtnUyn
— Nonito Dunnaire (@RealFakeSamDunn) June 21, 2020
Gabriel Muratalla is a preschool teacher who spends his free time knocking out grown men in the ring. In case you missed this 3rd round KO over Fernando Robles.
Preschool teacher by day 🍎
KO artist by night 💥
Gabriel Muratalla makes quick work of Fernando Robles, with a third knockout in his third pro fight as #MagdalenoVicente rolls on LIVE on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/xrEocJwj22
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 12, 2020
And for my personal favorite moment of the month, underdog Joshua Franco rose to the challenge and had a dominant performance over Andrew Maloney to win the WBA super flyweight title. The scorecards had it 114-113, 115-112 and 114-113, but after about the 4th or 5th round, the fight was pretty one-sided. Franco dug deep and even scored a knockdown in the 11th round. Despite his dominant performance, without the knockdown, it would have been a draw. Franco showed grit and dimension and did what it took to walk out of the ring a champion. Watch the feel-good moment where he became champion here:
That #AndNew moment!!
@JoshuaFranco_ comes on late, with an 11th round knockdown making the difference as he scores the upset and takes the WBA Super Flyweight strap 👑 #MoloneyFranco pic.twitter.com/FTOAm3LjUq
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 24, 2020
There was a rematch clause and Andrew Maloney has already taken to twitter to let us know that it is his intention to exercise that clause for an immediate rematch. Should be interesting.