Kingsville’s Oscar Cantu defeated David Ramirez of Forth Worth and won his third consecutive U.S. Men’s state boxing title at an event held in El Paso late last week.

His victory in the 114 lb. weight class - which earned Oscar an invitation to the U.S. Men’s national tournament to be held in Colorado Springs Colorado in July - came in the second ever encounter between Cantu and Ramirez who had some bad blood lingering from last year’s event. In their first match, Cantu landed a hard shot on Ramirez right before the final bell rang. Ramirez responded by bumping his shoulder into Cantu

In the rematch Cantu aggressively chased and pummeled Ramirez, from the opening bell, bloodying his nose by round three.

Cantu now hopes to capture the very national title that has eluded him twice. Not only that, but he also wants a second shot at former Olympian Rasheed Warren. Warren defeated Cantu by decision at the national golden gloves tournament about a month ago.

Also securing a state title (in the 119 lb. weight class) was Ben Bolt’s Reann Rios; daughter of professional boxer Solomon Mungia. Rios tore through her opponent (Kianna Richardson) en route to winning by technical knockout in the second round.

The Badger used her head as well as her fists during the fight.

“I just waited to see what she was going to do,” Rios said. “At first she tried to box with me but later lost her composure after a while and just started coming out wild. I just kept boxing her and eventually caught her on some opportunities.” Rios allowed her opponent to charge in like a bull, then struck her down.

“She came out throwing at the beginning of the second round,” Rios said. “I stepped to the side and caught her with a straight left to the body, I caught her again and she fell to her to knees and didn’t get up after that.”

Now the high school freshman is scheduled to compete at the national tier on June 14-19 at Camp Lejeune North Carolina.

“I am nervous and anxious because this is my first time and I am excited that I actually get to go,” Rios said.

Donations to help both fighters with traveling expenses are being accepted, call 728-3955 for more information.