by Francisco Salazar

In a bizarre turn of events, a likely stay-busy victory turned into a knockout defeat as a likely opportunity to fight for a world title belt this year quickly evaporated.

Junior featherweight contender Julio Ceja was stopped by Franklin Manzanilla moments into round five late Saturday night at the Teatro Moliere in Mexico City.

Ceja (32-3, 28 knockouts) was the mandatory challenger to the WBC junior featherweight title, which is held by Rey Vargas. The Mexico City resident would have likely received his title shot later this year once Vargas recovered from a cut over his eye suffered in his decision win over Azat Hovhannisyan on May 12 in Verona, New York.

The hard-hitting Manzanilla (18-4, 17 KOs) was figured to be an opponent Ceja could get rounds in. Manzanilla, who is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and now lives and trains in Colombia, took the fight to Ceja.

Early in round two, Ceja began to bleed profusely, likely from one-two combination to the head from Manzanilla. Later in the round, Ceja was deducted a point from referee Hector Afu for landing two punch behind Manzanilla's head, causing him to take a knee.

Ceja was the more effective puncher through the next couple of rounds, even momentarily stunning Manzanilla late in round three with a right hand to the head.

Despite being in control, Ceja continued to deal with blood continuously pouring out of his nose. The ringside physician checked on Ceja after the fourth round, concluding Ceja had a fractured nose and advised referee Hector Afu to stop the fight after the bell sounded to start round five.

The loss is devastating for Ceja, who is ranked number nine by THE RING. He had won his last two bouts and was likely headed to a showdown with Vargas later this year. Both are promoted by Oswaldo Kuchle.

In a battle between former world titleholders, Ibeth Zamora won the vacant WBC female flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Melissa McMorrow (10-7-3, 1 KO) of San Francisco.

Scores were 98-92, 98-92, and 100-90 for Zamora, who improves to 29-6, 12 KOs.

Junior lightweight contender Eduardo Hernandez, who four months ago was shot in the lower back in an attempted carjacking in Mexico City, stopped former junior featherweight contender Drian Francisco (29-6-1, 22 KOs) in the third round.

The 20-year-old Hernandez, who is ranked number four by the WBC, improves to 25-0, 20 KOs.

Middleweight prospect and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Misael Rodriguez (8-0, 4 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Uriel Gonzalez. Scores were 60-55, 60-55, and 59-56 in favor of Rodriguez, who is trained by Robert Garcia.

Bantamweight Elias Emigdio (6-1, 2 KOs), another 2016 Mexican Olympian who fought on Saturday night's card, was stopped by Jose Rojas (5-1-2, 2 KOs) in the second round.

Two-time world title challenger Felipe Orocuta (36-4, 30 KOs) stopped Ricardo Roman (13-10-3, 4 KOs) in the fourth round.

In a battle of flyweight contenders who resides in Mexico City, Lourdes Juarez (24-2, 3 KOs) won an eight round split decision over Jacky Calvo (11-3-2, 1 KO).

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