Jesús Rojas (Puerto Rican boxer)

Jesus Manuel Rojas Diaz (born December 26, 1986, in Caguas, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican boxer who is the former WBA (Regular) featherweight champion.

Jesus Rojas
Born
Jesus Manuel Rojas Diaz

(1986-12-26) December 26, 1986 (age 37)
Caguas, Puerto Rico
NationalityPuerto Rican
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins27
Wins by KO20
Losses3
Draws2
No contests1

Professional career

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After turning professional in 2006 Rojas amassed a record of 25–1–2–1 in 11 years before challenging and beating Dominican Claudio Marrero for the interim WBA featherweight title.[1][2]

In July 2018 the World Boxing Association announced that Rojas has been upgraded to 'Regular champion' and that he will be making his first defense against Mexican American boxer Joseph Diaz.[3] Diaz however, came into the fight overweight, missing the required weight limit by 0.6 pounds. According to WBA rules, this meant that Rojas gets to keep his title regardless of the outcome of the fight. Diaz would end up handing Rojas his first defeat in 10 years, by a 12-round unanimous decision.[4]

In a fight deemed an early "fight of the year" candidate, Rojas was defending his WBA title against Chinese star and WBA #2 at featherweight Can Xu.[5] Xu edged out Rojas in a highly controversial unanimous decision. The official scorecards, 118–110, 117–111, and 116–112 were in wide favor of Xu, even though the punch output from Rojas suggested that the fight was much closer than that.[6]

Professional boxing record

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33 fights 27 wins 3 losses
By knockout 20 0
By decision 7 3
Draws 2
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
33 Win 27–3–2 (1)   Luis Castillo Leal TKO 4 (10) 05–18–2019   Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza, Caguas
32 Loss 26–3–2 (1)   Xu Can UD 12 (12) 01–26–2019   Toyota Center, Houston Lost WBA (Regular) featherweight title
31 Loss 26–2–2 (1)   Joseph Diaz UD 12 (12) 08–11–2018   Avalon Hollywood, Los Angeles
30 Win 26–1–2 (1)   Claudio Marrero KO 7 (12) 09-15–2017   MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom, Las Vegas Won WBA interim featherweight title
29 Win 25–1–2 (1)   Abraham Lopez TKO 8 (10) 05–05–2017   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas Won NABA featherweight title
28 Win 24–1–2 (1)   Jesus A Valdez TKO 5 (10) 09-17–2016   Coliseo Héctor Solá Bezares, Caguas Won vacant WBA Fedecaribe featherweight title
27 Win 23–1–2 (1)   Kiun Evans KO 1 (10) 03-19–2016   Mario Morales Coliseum, Guaynabo
26 Draw 22–1–2 (1)   Jorge Lara TD 6 (10) 09–08–2015   Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
25 Win 22–1–1 (1)   Braulio Santos UD 8 (8) 05-16–2015   Coliseo Pedrin Zorilla, San Juan
24 Win 21–1–1 (1)   Jose Angel Beranza UD 10 (10) 08–30-2014   Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicéns, Ponce
23 Win 20–1–1 (1)   Juan Carlos Pena TKO 6 (9) 06-28–2014   Sheraton Hotel, Santo Domingo Won WBA Fedecentro super-bantamweight title
22 Win 19–1–1 (1)   Juan Jose Beltran KO 1 (6) 03-22–2014   Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicéns, Ponce
21 NC 18–1–1 (1)   Jorge Arce NC 2 (10) 06-09–2012   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
20 Draw 18–1–1   Jose Luis Araiza MD 8 (8) 01-07–2012   Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood
19 Win 18–1   Miguelo Tavarez TKO 2 (6) 08-06–2011   Parque del Este, Santo Domingo
18 Win 17–1   Isaac Hidalgo UD 6 (6) 03-12–2011   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
17 Win 16–1   Reynaldo Lopez SD 6 (6) 11-05–2010   Coliseo Cosme Beitia Salamo, Catano
16 Win 15–1   Luis Angel Paneto KO 1 (6) 08-28–2010   Coliseo Ruben Viera, Las Piedras
15 Win 14–1   Richard Pitt KO 2 (6) 06-04–2010   Coliseo Rafael G Amalbert, Juncos
14 Loss 13–1   Jose Angel Beranza UD 8 (8) 12-06–2008   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
13 Win 13–0   Anyetei Laryea UD 8 (8) 07-26–2008   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
12 Win 12–0   Alex Baba TKO 6 (8) 06-28–2008   Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas
11 Win 11–0   Andres Ledesma TKO 4 (8) 04–12–2008   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
10 Win 10–0   Carlos Diaz TKO 6 (6) 11-10–2007   Madison Square Garden, New York
9 Win 9–0   Baladan Trevizo TKO 4 (6) 08-25–2007   Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon
8 Win 8–0   Torrence Daniels UD 6 (6) 06-09–2007   Madison Square Garden, New York
7 Win 7–0   Ricardo Blackman KO 1 (6) 05-11–2007   Coliseo Angel 'Cholo' Espada, Salinas
6 Win 6–0   Enrique Quevedo UD 6 (6) 03–03–2007   Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan
5 Win 5–0   Ubaldo Olivencia TKO 2 (4) 12-02–2006   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
4 Win 4–0   Arturo Colon KO 1 (4) 09-30–2006   Coliseo Héctor Solá Bezares, Caguas
3 Win 3–0   Jose Gonzalez TKO 2 (4) 08-04–2006   Coliseo Pedrín Zorrilla, Hato Rey
2 Win 2–0   Jose Gonzalez TKO 2 (4) 04-29–2006   Mario Morales Coliseum, Guaynabo
1 Win 1–0   Christopher Sanchez TKO 1 (4) 03-04–2006   Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon Professional debut

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Jesus Rojas KOs Claudio Marrero, claims interim featherweight belt". ESPN. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  2. ^ "Jesús Rojas received his WBA champion belt". WBA boxing. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  3. ^ "Joseph Diaz vs. Jesus Rojas is Now Set For WBA 'Regular' Title". Boxingscene. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
  4. ^ "Joseph Diaz Wins Tough Decision Over Jesus Rojas". BoxingScene.com. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  5. ^ "Rojas vs Xu - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  6. ^ "Jesus Rojas Disappointed In Scoring, Calls For Xu Can Rematch". BoxingScene.com. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
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Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA featherweight champion
Interim Title

September 15, 2017 – July 4, 2018
Promoted
Vacant
Title next held by
Jhack Tepora
Vacant
Title last held by
Abner Mares
WBA featherweight champion
Regular Title

July 4, 2018 – January 26, 2019
Succeeded by