Vazquez is "Magnifico" as He Wins World Title on "Boxeo De Oro"

It's been a long trek for Mexico City's Israel Vazquez, but in the career-defining fight of his nine-year career last night at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, "Magnifico" lived up to his nickname as he dismantled Jose Luis Valbuena in the 12 th and final round of their championship bout, earning the IBF super bantamweight world title in the process.

With the victory, Vazquez improves to 36-3 with 27 KOs . The game Valbuena drops to 24-3-1 with 14 KOs . The bout was televised live on HBO Latino's "Oscar De La Hoya Presents Boxeo De Oro".

Early on, it appeared the Vazquez might have an early night of work as he continually stunned the Venezuelan with stiff right hands. But with a veteran's guile, Valbuena weathered the early storms and came back strong with counter attacks of his own.

In the fourth though, as a precursor of things to come, a big right hand caught Valbuena as he backed up, sending him to the canvas on the seat of his pants.

Vazquez was unable to land the finisher though, and Valbuena took advantage of his brief respite, beginning a steady body attack through rounds five and six. Unfortunately for Valbuena, with such a strategy, some shots inevitably landed low, and the 33-year-old was penalized twice for low blows.

Showing the desire of a champion, Vazquez kept pressing the attack as the fight entered the late rounds, and even though he was in the lead entering the final round, "Magnifico" wanted to close the show.

And close it he did, sending Valbuena crashing to the canvas with a devastating combination. Valbuena instantly rose, but he was on unsteady legs, and after a follow-up barrage by Vazquez, referee Dr. James Jen Kin wisely halted the bout at the 34 second mark of round twelve.

In the fast paced "Boxeo De Oro" co-feature, relentless Jhonny Gonzalez stopped previously unbeaten Roger "Speedy" Gonzalez in six rounds.

Using his speed and counterpunching skills, "Speedy" frustrated his foe for much of the early going, but round by round Jhonny got closer and closer, and by round six, he cornered his opponent and opened up.

"Speedy" hit the canvas three times, rising gamely the first two times, but after the third knockdown, referee Ray Corona had seen enough, and he stopped the contest at 2:42 of the sixth.

Jhonny Gonzalez improves to 22-4 (20 KOs) with the win; "Speedy" Gonzalez falls to 23-1 with 17 KOs .