Junior lightweight Julius Ballo won a six-round unanimous decision over Roman Reyes at The Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, just outside San Diego. The three judges’ scores were 60-54.
The first round was tactical. Ballo boxed well, using his feet. The size of Reyes, who is 5ft 10ins, forced the 5ft 7ins Ballo to be judicious with the punches he threw.
In the second, Ballo, 22, landed a right hand that caught the crowd’s attention, and his movement gave Reyes, of Greenville, South Carolina, an unsteady target to aim at. Reyes committed to a steady jab that kept Ballo from charging forward. The third round was Ballo’s best, as he walked Reyes into right hands.
Even as Ballo got comfortable in the fourth, moving well and landing good counterpunches, Reyes’ size offset his attack. In the fifth, Ballo got inside for the first time in the fight as Reyes appeared to fatigue. That led to the most success enjoyed in the fight by Ballo, who threw combinations on the inside as Reyes was unable to keep him away.
The onslaught continued from Ballo, who landed eye-catching punches followed by his taking elusive angles as he looked to close the show. Ballo got stronger in each round, while Reyes gradually slowed down.
Ballo improved to 3-0, and the 26-year-old Reyes fell to 6-2 (5 KOs).
Ballo promoted the card with his cousin, lightweight Jonny Mansour, who fought in the co-main event.
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
