Frank Warren's new hope makes a name for himself in the very first fight of the Riyadh Season Stateside

SANTA MONICA — Queensberry Promotions founder Frank Warren is showing he still has an eye for talent as his company's newest signee, Nathan Lugo, scored a second-round upset victory Wednesday in the Santa Monica area of ​​Los Angeles County, California.

After entering the ring dressed as Deadpool, Lugo's super middleweight fight against Ray Corona was Riyadh Season's first ever event in the United States, and the 20-year-old made it one to remember as the opening round was painful, bruising, and with blood.

Lugo threw many of his shots with vicious intent from his strong frame, hammered Corona with six-pack combinations, and sent him back to his corner at the end of the round bleeding from the mouth and nose.

With a disappointing blow to the jaw of Corona, a brutal shot that his opponent will feel in the coming days, and a shot to the head, Lugo seemed determined to close the show early – however, that happiness came at a small cost, as he left himself open for a shot, although he comfortably won the opener.

Corona tried to fight his way out of trouble by starting the second round hard and fast but was unable to keep a strong enough guard to block Lugo's best shots.

Instead, Lugo punched his way between Corona's gloves, peppering him with hooks, and, after continued pressure, one solid right hand in a three-punch sequence was enough for referee Rudy Barragan to wave off the contest. It was over.

“Great achievement by Nathan Lugo,” Warren said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “I'm looking forward to seeing him develop!”

Elsewhere on the three-fight card where Boxing News went during the week, there was Shakhram Giyasov's split victory over Miguel Parra, and Marc Castro's victory over George Acosta by technical decision.

These fights are broadcast free of charge on Matchroom Boxing and DAZN's YouTube channels.