The recently-turned 21 year-old won every round of ten in the headline bout of Golden Boy’s latest LA Fight Club offering, although did have to overcome some facial marking from a combination of a headbutt and punches from Ruiz.
De La Hoya proved that he doesn’t get flustered when the pressure is on him though and is now the WBC Youth champion and on his way to a certain world title in the future following a 100-90 twice, 99-91 victory on the cards.
Also on the bill at the Belasco Theater, Christian Gonzalez improved to 11-0 with a second round knockout of late replacement Luis Lizzaraga, whilst Everton Lopes pushed his unbeaten start to four with a majority decision over Omar Tienda to put the first blemish on his opponent’s record in fourteen fights.
Elsewhere in South Africa, two former world champions scored victories as Zolani Tete and Nkosinathi Joyi entertained the East London crowd with stoppage triumphs.
Ex-IBF super flyweight title holder Tete halted Diuhl Olguin in the eighth round, whilst Joyi took just five rounds to dispatch of Sinethemba Magibisela at the Orient Theatre.
There was also a second round stoppage victory for Xolisani Ndongeni on the card as the lightweight moved to 19-0 against Miguel Angel Escalada.
