by Francisco Salazar

Middleweight Christian Mbilli notched another knockout victory and won a regional title belt in the process.

The fight was a clash of unbeaten fighters, but it was Mbilli's pedigree and punching power that overwhelmed the fighter from San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Both fighters stood in the pocket during the first two rounds, exchanging hooks and crosses to the head and body. By the third round, Mbilli's punches and aggression began to take a toll on Aguinaga, as his punch output dropped significantly. Mbilli also forced Aguinaga to fight defensively and off his back foot.

Aguinaga began to tire, flailing arm punches to an aggressive Mbilli, who increased his punch output. About a minute into round five, Mbilli dropped Aguinaga with a count right hand to the head. Aguinaga stood up, but took a knee following a left hook to the body from Mbilli.

Referee Robin Dolpierre counted Aguinaga (13-1, 9 KOs) out at 1:47.

Mbilli (11-0, 11 KOs), who represented France in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, has now fought four times in 2018. He now resides in the Montreal area and is promoted by Yvon Michel.

Welterweight Jose Gomez, who resides in Toulon, France, won an eight round split decision over former junior lightweight contender Jose Guadalupe Rosales.

One judge scored the bout 77-75 in favor of Rosales, while the other two judges scored the bout 77-75 and 78-74 for Gomez, who goes to 16-0, 6 KOs.

Rosales, who also resides in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, drops to 35-16, 18 KOs.

Junior middleweight Dylan Charrat (17-0, 4 KOs) remained unbeaten with a one-sided eight round decision over veteran Lyes Chaibi (15-12-3, 3 KOs). Scores were 80-72, 80-72, and 80-73 for Charrat.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing