Dominique Francis has emerged as a fighter to be reckoned with at 130 kilos.
Francis knocked out Julio Carrera Lugo this previous Saturday night time at Adventist Well being (also called the Stockton) Enviornment in Stockton, California.
On paper, the Francis-Carrera combat was a compelling conflict of unbeaten junior light-weight prospects, however Francis instantly asserted himself from the opening bell, dominating the motion together with his jab, velocity, and explosive combos.
Throughout spherical 4, Francis landed a left hook to the physique adopted by two proper crosses to the top. Francis once more landed one other devastating left hook to the physique that pressured Carrera to drop to 1 knee, the place referee Marcos Rosales counted Carrera out at 2:21.
Francis, who resides in Opa Locka, Florida, beforehand fought on April 6 in Naucalpan, Mexico, defeating Uriel Lopez Juarez by unanimous determination. The win occurred lower than 10 months after Francis overcame a knockdown to win a hard-fought determination over Braian Arguello, which occurred in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“I advised you (in an interview previous to the Carrera combat) all I may be is me,” Francis advised The Ring Monday. “Can’t no person be me higher than I may be me. (The) crowd was booing as a result of they wished a rock ‘em-sock ‘em type combat, however I stayed composed and acquired him out of there.
“What’s subsequent is that I (will) keep within the health club and simply prepare for what’s subsequent to come back.”
The 23-year-old Francis is managed by Andrew Smith and co-trained by Derik Santos and father Smith Francis. He’s ranked No. 12 by the WBA at 126 kilos.
Francis improved to 16-0, 10 knockouts. Carrera, who resides in Navojoa, Mexico, falls to 18-1-1, 14 KOs. In his earlier combat on December 20, the 25-year-old knocked out Oscar Mora within the opening spherical.
In the primary occasion, fringe light-weight contender Gabriel Flores, Jr. defeated late-sub Dennis Contreras by unanimous determination. Scores have been 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73 for Flores, who improved to 25-2, 8 KOs.
The 24-year-old Flores has now gained his final 4 fights since a call loss to Giovanni Cabrera in July 2022. Father and coach, Gabe Flores, Sr., promoted Saturday’s card.
Contreras, who resides in Guadalajara, Mexico, falls to 24-15-1, 22 KOs. The 32-year-old has now misplaced his final 5 bouts after successful his earlier 4.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached at [email protected]