Manny Flores Stops Jorge Leyva with Fourth-Round Knockout

Manuel "Manny" Flores secured a fourth-round knockout over Mexico's Jorge Leyva in a commanding display at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. This victory marked Flores' fifth consecutive knockout, achieved within four rounds, and improved his professional record to 20-1 with 16 KOs.

From the opening bell, the 26-year-old southpaw from Coachella, California, showcased his dominance. In the first round, Flores wobbled Leyva with a mighty right hand and continued to apply pressure with punishing combinations. Leyva, returning to the ring after a hiatus since June, struggled to match Flores' activity and power, wincing from heavy body shots in the second round.

The third round saw Flores intensify his assault. A counter right caught Leyva off guard, followed by effective uppercuts and a neck-snapping right that left Leyva unsteady. In the final minute of the round, Flores delivered a hard left to Leyva's head, resulting in the fight's first knockdown.

The bout concluded in the fourth round when Flores landed a devastating left hand to Leyva's solar plexus. This body shot prompted Leyva to signal his inability to continue, leading referee Ray Corona to stop the fight just 55 seconds into the round. This marked the first time Leyva, now 18-4 with 13 KOs, had been stopped in his career.

Reflecting on his performance, Flores expressed satisfaction with his progress since his sole career defeat in 2023. He emphasized his versatility in the ring, stating, "I can box, bully guys, make 'em look dumb." With this victory, Flores continues his ascent in the junior featherweight division, aiming to break into the top-15 rankings under the guidance of Golden Boy Promotions.