On December 2nd at Madison Square Garden in New York, Puerto Rican boxer Ángel "Tito" Acosta (16-1, 16 KO) faced Mexican boxer Juan "Pinky" Alejo (24-4-1, 14 KO). The fight was for the vacant WBO Minimumweight World Championship.
Ángel Acosta vs. Juan Alejo
WBO Minimumweight World Championship
12 Rounds:
Round 1: Acosta started by establishing his left jab to Alejo's face, making him retreat. In the last 35 seconds, they exchanged good punches, with Acosta getting the better of it. In the last 10 seconds, the Mexican connected a good right to Acosta's face followed by a left hook to his body.
Round 2: Acosta changed his strategy, using a combination of two jabs to the face and a hook to the body. There were several exchanges between both fighters, but the Puerto Rican landed 2 out of 3 punches, while Alejo only connected with 1 out of 4.
Round 3: "Tito" gradually gained more confidence and became more intense in his attacks. His straight lefts landed well on Alejo's face, penetrating his defense. Then, Acosta continued attacking with two hooks to the body and one to the face. Alejo threw some punches, but without significance.
Round 4: Acosta came out with his guard down, which the Mexican took advantage of and landed solid right hooks. In the last 50 seconds, Alejo connected a right hook to Acosta's chin, shaking him up.
Round 5: This round was dominated by the Puerto Rican, as he used his jab to push the Mexican back against the ropes and attacked with hooks to the face, body, and face.
Round 6: Another round in which Acosta used his left jab and opened a cut above Alejo's right eyebrow. In the last 30 seconds, Acosta unleashed a flurry of punches, landing a strong left hook to the chin that put the Mexican in a bad position, but he held on.
Round 7: Here, both fighters engaged in close combat. Acosta was the one landing clean punches, as Alejo's blows were blocked by the Puerto Rican's gloves. In the last 20 seconds, two left hooks to Alejo's chin put him in a bad condition, but he held on to survive.
Round 8: Alejo now looked lost and without any desire, as he only received punishment from his opponent. In the last minute, a left hook made Alejo once again in bad condition, and Acosta went all out to finish him, but the Mexican always held on whenever Acosta got close.
Round 9: Now "Tito" appeared tired, as he was retreating due to Alejo's jabs. Then, Acosta surprised him with a right uppercut that dazed the Mexican, and he continued punishing him with left hooks to the face and body, but couldn't knock him down. Alejo then tried to respond by throwing many punches, but most of them missed.
Round 10: Acosta came out very patient, and after a right hook to the chin followed by a left hook also to the chin, he knocked down the Mexican, who couldn't get up in time for the 10-count.
Winner by knockout and new WBO Minimumweight World Champion: Ángel "Tito" Acosta.