Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, Argentina – Gonzalo Fassola’s much-anticipated return to professional boxing ended in a narrow points loss against Joaquín Villarreal Ruiz. The fight, held on Saturday night at the Villa Hipódromo Club, marked Fassola’s second professional bout since his controversial debut in 2022. This time, the local fighter fell by majority decision after an intense four-round clash in the light heavyweight division.
Villarreal Ruiz Seizes Victory
The bout showcased contrasting styles, with Villarreal pressing forward aggressively and Fassola relying on counterpunching. Villarreal, a Jujuy native and world kickboxing champion, dominated the second round, delivering a powerful left hook that staggered Fassola and forced an eight-count. Despite a strong start and late recovery, Fassola’s earlier struggles proved costly on the judges’ scorecards.
Scorecards:
- Miguel Leiva: 38-37 for Fassola
- Pablo Mansur: 38-37 for Villarreal Ruiz
- Salvador Núñez: 39-36 for Villarreal Ruiz (noted a scoring error but affirmed the result)
A Night of Boxing Drama
Held in front of an energetic crowd, the event was organized by promoter Jorge Pandolfino and featured an engaging mix of amateur and professional bouts. Fassola, trained by Osvaldo Corro, showed flashes of skill, utilizing jabs and hooks effectively in the first and fourth rounds. However, Villarreal’s superior physical conditioning and relentless pressure made the difference.
Amateur Results Highlights
- Gian Moorkejee defeated Jonathan Morán in the 60kg category.
- Matías Cornejo bested Franco Fernández at 81kg.
- Brian Tapia overcame Santiago Ramos in the 69kg division.
What’s Next for Fassola?
This loss adds to Fassola’s challenging pro career, but his late-round resurgence may signal potential for improvement. Meanwhile, Villarreal Ruiz celebrated his first win under FAB rules after three prior losses, marking a turning point in his boxing journey.
Fans left the arena buzzing with excitement, a testament to the enduring appeal of boxing.
#Boxing #GodoyCruz #GonzaloFassola
