Junior featherweight Diego De La Hoya’s return to the ring after suffering his first loss as a pro was a success late Saturday night, defeating Renson Robles by unanimous decision at the Auditorio del Estado in Mexicali, Mexico.

Scores were 99-89, 99-89, and 97-94 for De La Hoya, who improves to 22-1, 10 knockouts.

The fight marked De La Hoya’s first since his knockout loss to junior featherweight contender Ronny Rios on July 13 in Carson, California. The younger cousin of Oscar De La Hoya was also fighting for the first time as a pro in his hometown of Mexicali. He was scheduled to do so last November, but had to withdraw against Venezuela’s Edixon Perez two days prior to the fight after collapsing from dehydration in an attempt to make weight.

Robles entered Saturday’s fight having won four of his last five bouts, albeit against mediocre opposition. The only blemish amongst his last five bouts was a stoppage loss at the hands of LuisNery on Dec. 1 of last year.

De La Hoya was the busier and more-effective fighter throughout the fight. He took initiative in throwing and landing two-punch combinations, usually off a bab or left hook, followed by a right hand. He scored the fight’s only knockdown in round three, dropping Robles with a right hand.

Robles was game, but did not have the pedigree or ring acumen to outbox or keep De La Hoya at bay. Robles did have his moments, but found himself having to defend against hooks and straight rights from De La Hoya.

Late in the fight, Robles was deducted a point for holding, cementing his loss to the 25-year-old De La Hoya.

After the fight, De La Hoya disclosed he likely hurt his left hand during the fight.

“It was a difficult fight because I hurt my left hand during the second round,” said De La Hoya, who is managed by cousin Joel De La Hoya. “I had to fight the entire fight with one hand. Still, I came to fight, and I never gave up.”

Robles, who resides in La Victoria, Venezuela, falls to 16-7, 9 KOs.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing