Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ undefeated teenage sensation Jorge Paez Jr. stopped veteran Rafael Urias by technical knockout at 2:37 of the first round in their lightweight bout scheduled for six rounds Friday in Mexicali, Mexico.
The 19-year-old Paez Jr., who now has a record of 12-0 with eight knockouts, dropped Urias three times in the first.
The first knockdown by Paez Jr. was a straight right to the head. The second knockdown was a left hook to the head. And the third and final knockdown, which prompted the referee to halt the bout, was another straight right to the head.
Urias landed several solid left hooks to the head of Paez but never hurt the teenager.
Both Paez Jr., fighting in his hometown of Mexicali in more than one year, and Urias, from Los Mochis, Mexico, weighed 135 pounds.
“I knew I was focused and ready for this fight,” said Paez Jr., the son of former International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization featherweight champion Jorge Paez. “I’m at 135 pounds and ready to show my power.”
Paez Jr. was coming off four decision wins, three of which were on HBO pay-per-view cards. On Sept. 16 in Las Vegas, Nev., he beat Derrick Campos; on Aug. 19 in El Paso, Texas, he defeated Armand Horn in his six-round debut; on June 10 in Atlantic City, N.J., he bested Travis Hartman; and on May 6 in Las Vegas he topped Lowell Brownfield.
Urias, a veteran of almost 30 bouts, replaced Joel Padilla, who injured his left hand while training for Paez Jr.
Paez Jr., who had an amateur record of 77-3, including a successful outing against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in an exhibition contest, is managed by Andy Ruiz.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including undefeated WBO junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, IBF lightweight interim champion Julio Diaz, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir and undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.