Hackensack Underdog Boxer Rises After Defeating World-Ranked Opponent

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Boxing underdog Jonathan Maicelo of Hackensack is quickly rising from an underdog to a world champion.

Hackensack boxer Jonathan Maicelo defeated Jose Felix, Jr. on Friday night in the biggest victory of his career yet.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy Butch Sanchez*

Cecilia Levine

02/18/2017 11:00 p.m.

The lightweight achieved the biggest win in his career Friday night after defeating world-ranked opponent Jose Felix, Jr. in a unanimous decision upset.

Maicelo (25-2, 12 KOs) dropped Felix (35-2-1, 27 KOs) five times in the 10-round match at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas. Scores were 95-90, 97-88, 96-90.

Maicelo, a Peruvian immigrant who escaped poverty to follow his boxing dream, is now ranked No. 3 in the world by the WBO, formerly his opponent's standing.

Here are some of the highlights of the match, according to Maicelo's coach, Butch Sanchez.

Round 1: Maicelo hits Felix with hook that knocks him to the ground
Round 3: Maicelo knocks Felix down again
Round 5: Felix knocked down twice by Maicelo
Round 9: Maicelo knocks Felix down for the fifth time

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