By Rafael Soto

Culiacan, Sinaloa - Welterweight contender Omar Chavez (28-1, 21KOs) is back on a winning path, after scoring a ninth round stoppage over Colombia's Emilio Julio (20-8-2, 13KOs). Chavez dominated much of the fight against an opponent who displayed bravery and courage. Chavez wanted to make a statement after dropping a decision in 2011 to Jorge "Maromerito" Paez.

Nicaraguan WBA junior flyweight champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez wasted no time, as he scored a first round knockout over Mexico's Manuel "Meny" Jimenez at 2:58 of a non-title bout.

Gonzalez looked anxious to throw big punches from the opening bell. He jumped to the center of the ring and threw calculated power punches right away. Jiminez was taking damage early. Jiminez continued to take punishment until he had enough after going down at the end of the first.

Gonzalez improves his record to 31-0, with 26 knockouts, while Jimenez falls to 11-3-1, 5 KOs. "Chocolatito" is scheduled to return on April 21 in Morelia, Mexico against former world champion Ramon "Prince" Garcia.

Tags: Roman Gonzalez , photos , Omar Chavez