Miguel Madueno Upsets Ranked Contender Justin Pauldo
Lightweight Miguel “Explosivo” Madueno (31-2, 28 KOs) scored a career-best win by claiming a unanimous decision victory (95-94, 94-95, 97-92 ) over the surging Justin “The Million Dollar Man” Pauldo (17-2, 8 KO) at Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida.
It was an entertaining scrap. Madueno came out firing, looking to punish with heavy artillery to the head and body. Pauldo landed his share of shots throughout the contest. Maudeno had to fight most of the contest with blood flowing from his left eye.
In round five, Madueno had a point taken away for hitting behind the head. But in the end, his work-rate and sheer activity proved to be the difference.
GETTING THINGS BACK ON TRACK
The significance of this win is massive for Explosivo. Heading into 2023, the native of Orange, California felt he was a few fights away from a possible world lightweight title shot. But he got his world rocked following a unanimous decision loss to Steve Claggett in December 2023.
With the victory over Pauldo, Maudeno now salvages his career. The underdog according to the betting crowd, Explosivo defeated a fighter who entered the fight ranked fourteenth by the WBA at 135.
