Mayelli Flores Rosquero fought the fight of her life which crowned her the new WBA junior featherweight title holder. Amid the familiar faces in the crowd for the fight taking place on ProBox TV at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida, was her promoter Paco Damian, who had put her in position for the fight. 

Rosquero defeated Nazarena Romero to win the title via split-decision. 

Rosquero, 13-1-1 (4 KOs), 32, entered the bout on a four-fight win streak having lost a bid to become the WBC bantamweight titleholder in 2022 to Yuliahn Luna Avila. Though Rosquero is one inch south of 5ft tall, the fighter from Mexico City played her part in an action-packed contest.

“I know we had a great chance of winning this fight,” Damian told BoxingScene. “Rosquero is a great fighter and a tough fighter, and I was proud of the way she fought and competed to win the title.”

Damian cited an example of a previous upset he pulled off nearly two years ago when bantamweight Alexandro Santiago upset Nonito Donaire to win the title. Damian had a similar feeling with this one.

“The way she was all-week reminded me of Santiago before he defeated Donaire,” Damian said. “She was determined and focused. It was everything you want to see from a fighter.” 

For Damian, this marks another upset which he is forming a habit of executing. In 2023, he had Jose Felix Jnr pull off a knockout victory over unbeaten Garry Cully. He had Santiago defeat Donaire, and now Rosquero defeated unbeaten 30-year-old Argentinian titleholder Romero, 14-1-2 (8 KOs). 

“It makes me so happy and proud to continue the legacy of my dear friend and mentor Don Chargin,” Damian said. “He taught me so much and one of the things was that styles make fights. When my fighters are ready I try to put them in good fights, competitive fights, ones where they can shine.” 

Rosquero did just that.