The Armory in Minneapolis - Brian Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) seized his opportunity and delivered a stunning fifth-round KO over former unified world champion Jeison Rosario (23-4-1, 17 KOs) in a performance that Mendoza described as career-altering. The 27-year-old Rosario announced his retirement following the fight.
Thirty-five seconds into the fifth stanza, Mendoza landed a vicious right uppercut that sent Rosario to the canvas for the second time in the fight. Rosario stumbled when attempting to rise, prompting referee Mark Calo-Oy to put a stop to the action.
In just five rounds of work, Mendoza was able to land 25 punches to the susceptible body of Rosario. In the second round, Mendoza landed a left hook to the body, causing Rosario to belatedly drop to a knee. This was the fourth time in Rosario’s career that he was dropped with a body shot.
Tonight’s defeat marked the end of a splendid career for Rosario, who captured the WBA and IBF 154-pound belts by stopping Julian Williams in one of 2020’s biggest upsets.
“I think it’s time to say goodbye,” Rosario said. “I’m not fighting anymore. I’m going to retire. I have accomplished a lot, and it was good, but my career stops here. The most important thing is that I’m still healthy. I feel bad that I couldn’t give the Dominican people the result they hoped for, but I love you all and I thank you for all the support through the years.”
Jeison Rosario: Time To Say Goodbye, I'm Not Fighting Anymore, Time To Retire
Comments
No_look_hookSun Nov 6, 2022, 9:57 PM UTC
Yeah but where does he go really hell just become fodder for these up an coming fighters at 54/60 the guy has big glaring weakness that don't seem to be getting fixed I mean he's only 27 he won 2 world titles so it might not be the right move to be getting beaten up an knocked out by these guys coming through
I agree but with careful matchmaking he can do something. Imagine if haymon protected him like charlo or Spence. , I’d welcome HBO coming back to resuscitate an identical agenda but applied to white fighters like haymon treat’s black fighters
SweetPbfAliSun Nov 6, 2022, 9:34 PM UTC
The way he reacted from that jab to the stomach from Jermell was enough for me. Did we ever get an actual explanation for that?
Afi23Sun Nov 6, 2022, 9:30 PM UTC
He probably could have benefited from "milking" the belts a bit. In retrospect, Haymon/his team did him wrong throwing him to Charlo right after his win over J-Rock and right back to Lubin after.
Boricua181Sun Nov 6, 2022, 9:18 PM UTC
Jeison Rosario your decision to retire is the best thing that you can do for your health.:boxing:
Cash_inSun Nov 6, 2022, 7:49 PM UTC
Hamed himself is on record saying that retiring when he did was a mistake and he should have just taken a brief break to recover and came back.
If Hamed had stayed in the game, the whole scope would have been way different. He dominated the last guy he fought and he would have drawn MAJOR money even when losing.
Remember, Mayorga was still drawing money despite losses.
He could have made major money, but he knew. He can say what he wants after the event, but it was a man vs a boy vs he faced Barrera. Cash in
