Photos: Jose Pedraza Decks, Topples Ray Beltran For WBO Belt

Jose "Sniper" Pedraza is now a two-weight world champion. Pedraza scored an 11th round knockdown and won a unanimous decision to dethrone WBO lightweight world champion Ray Beltran on Saturday evening at the GIla River Arena. (photos by Mikey Williams).

Scores were 117-110, 117-110, and 115-112 for Pedraza, who was previously the IBF 130-pound champion of the world.

With the victory, Pedraza (25-1, 12 KOs) is expected to fight WBA lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko on Dec. 1 to unify two of the division's titles. Pedraza returned from a 14-month layoff in March and won two bouts to earn the shot at Beltran.

"We did everything that we needed to do to win this fight. We followed the game plan perfectly," Pedraza said. "I knew how tough this fight was going to be and at moments it got very difficult, but thanks to the focus and the guidance from my corner, we were able to win round by round and get the win."

Said Beltran, who fell to 35-8-1: "I thought it was a good, close fight. The knockdown made the difference. I got caught with a really good shot." 

In other action, featherweight Francisco De Vaca (19-0, 6 KOs) unanimous decision, 8 rounds, Jesus Serrano (17-7-2, 12 KOs). Scores: 78-73, 78-73, 79-72. De Vaca knocked down Serrano with a right hand in the fourth round.

De Vaca said: “I’m happy with the win, but I felt I could’ve done better. I look forward to my next fight soon. Fighting in front of my hometown fans was really special. Serrano was a tough guy, and we put on a great fight for the fans.”

Lightweights Antonio Lozada Jr. (40-2-1, 34 KOs), Draw, 8 rounds, Hector Ambriz (12-7-2, 6 KOs). Scores: 78-74 Lozada, 79-73 Ambriz, 76-76.

Light Heavyweight Trevor McCumby (24-0, 19 KOs), TKO 3, :40 Jessie Nicklow (27-9-3, 9 KOs). Nicklow was stopped on his feet.

McCumby said: “I’m happy with my performance. I got in there and got the win. I could’ve boxed a little more, but it felt good to make my return and end it in style.”