Leija Too Much for Nelson and Wins Lightweight Title

“Jesse” James Leija claimed the International Boxing Assn.’s vacant lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Azumah Nelson on Saturday night.

A crowd of only 7,681 showed at the Alamodome to watch hometown favorite Leija (36-3-2, 14 knockouts) outpoint Nelson (39-5-2) in the 12-round fight. Leija led on all three judges’ scorecards--119-110, 116-112 and 116-112.

Although the two had met three times before--each gained a victory and there was one draw--they were very cautious over the first three rounds.

Nelson broke his hand in the fifth round, but Leija was unable to get the upper hand until he stunned the Ghanaian with a left hook in the eighth round. Sensing Nelson was hurt, Leija threw 15 consecutive punches before the bell sounded.

On the undercard, Gabriel Ruelas (45-4, 23 knockouts) claimed the IBA junior-lightweight title over Troy Dorsey (15-11-4, 11 knockouts) after referee Rafael Ramos stopped the fight at 1:25 of the sixth round. Both of Dorsey’s eyes were severely swollen and his right eye was completely shut.

In other bouts, Goyo Vargas (37-6-1, 27 knockouts) stopped Tracy Patterson (61-6-1, 43 knockouts) at 1:02 of the sixth round of a junior-lightweight fight, and Miguel Angel Gonzalez (43-1-1, 33 knockouts) stopped Alexis Perez (21-12-2, 18 knockouts) in the fifth round of their junior-welterweight bout.