KNOCKED OUT. The leap up in competition was too much Jessie Cris Rosales, who was knocked out in the second round by Jhonny Gonzalez. Photo from Prensa Promociones del Pueblo’s Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Jessie Cris Rosales didn’t have the breakout performance he had hoped for, being knocked down twice in a second round knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez on Saturday, July 22 (Sunday Manila time) at Lienzo Charro Parral in Hidalgo Del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Gonzalez (64-10, 54 knockouts) established his signature jab early on, and then scored the first knockdown about 90 seconds into the round with a left hook which sent the Talibon, Bohol native Rosales down to the canvas.

Rosales (21-1-1, 9 KOs) beat the count but was never able to mount a serious offensive attack. A left hook to the body shortly after sent Rosales back down, this time for the 10-count, ending the fight by knockout.

The fight was a massive leap up in competition for Rosales, 25, who had never faced a fringe contender, let alone a former two-division world champion like the 35-year-old Gonzalez.

Gonzalez of Mexico City is a former WBO bantamweight titleholder and two-time WBC featherweight titleholder. He had previously fought Filipino legend Gerry Penalosa, losing by seventh round knockout in 2007.

The scheduled 12-round bout was presented by Prensa Promociones del Pueblo and televised in Mexico by Televisa. – Rappler.com

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said that Rosales was knocked out in the first round. The knockout occurred in the second round.