Emmanuel Rodriguez is world champion again

Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs) won Melvin Lopez (29-2, 19 KOs) by unanimous decision in the main event of the evening in Oxon Hill and won the vacant IBF world bantamweight title.

The boxer from Nicaragua was counted down three times in the twelfth round. After the final gong, all the judges scored 120-105 in favor of the Puerto Rican, who won the International Boxing Federation belt in the 53 kg weight category for the second time.

On the same evening, Gary Antoine Russell (17-0, 17 KOs) knocked out Kent Cruz (16-1-3, 10 KOs) in the first round, successfully returning to the ring after a year-long break.