On May 7, 1994, Jesse James Leija and Azumah Nelson met again in a rematch.
Leija came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 44% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 14 days. Nelson was on a 0-fight win streak with a 62% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 7 months and 27 days.
Jesse James Leija defeated Azumah Nelson via unanimous decision in the rematch and wins the WBC title — in his first world-title fight. Leija improves his record to 28-0-2, while Nelson adds a loss to his record at 36-3-2.
On September 10, 1993, a 27-year-old Jesse James Leija (26-0-1, 12 KOs) got a shot at the super-featherweight WBC title held by 35-year-old Ghanaian boxer Azumah Nelson (36-2-1, 25 KOs).
Leija came in to the fight on a 11-fight win streak with a 44% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 18 days. Nelson was on a 3-fight win streak with a 64% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 6 months and 21 days.
The fight ended in a split decision draw and both the fighters added a draw to their respective records — Leija is now 26-0-2 and Nelson, 36-2-2.
On July 11, 1998, a 32-year-old Jesse James Leija (36-3-2, 15 KOs) and a 39-year-old Ghanaian boxer Azumah Nelson (38-4-2, 27 KOs) met in the ring for the 4th time, in a lightweight bout.
Leija came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 36% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 10 days. Nelson was on a -1-fight win streak with a 61% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 1 year, 3 months, and 19 days.
In the rematch, Jesse James Leija defeated Azumah Nelson via unanimous decision in the 12-round lightweight fight. Leija improves his record to 37-3-2, while Nelson adds a loss to his record at 38-5-2.
On October 3, 1992, a 26-year-old Jesse James Leija (23-0-1, 11 KOs) and Troy Dorsey met in the ring.
Leija came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 45% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 18 days.
Jesse James Leija stopped Troy Dorsey via RTD in the 5th round. Leija improves his record to 24-0-1 (12 KOs)
On March 23, 1993, a 26-year-old Jesse James Leija (25-0-1, 12 KOs) and Louie Espinoza met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
Leija came in to the fight on a 10-fight win streak with a 46% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 20 days.
Jesse James Leija defeated Louie Espinoza via unanimous decision in the 12-round featherweight fight. Leija improves his record to 26-0-1
On September 17, 1994, the 28-year-old WBC super-featherweight world champion, Jesse James Leija (28-0-2, 13 KOs), faced a 24-year-old Mexican boxer Gabriel Ruelas (38-2, 21 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Leija came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 43% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 10 days. Ruelas was on a 5-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 28 days.
Gabriel Ruelas defeated Jesse James Leija via unanimous decision and wins the WBC title — in his first world-title fight. Ruelas improves his record to 39-2, while Leija adds a loss to his record at 28-1-2.
On August 13, 1990, a 24-year-old Jesse James Leija (14-0, 9 KOs) and Ricky Alvarez met in the ring.
Leija came in to the fight on a 14-fight win streak with a 64% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 28 days.
Jesse James Leija stopped Ricky Alvarez via TKO in the 1st round. Leija improves his record to 15-0 (10 KOs)
On October 16, 1989, a 23-year-old Jesse James Leija (7-0, 3 KOs) and Tony De La Rosa met in the ring.
Leija came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 42% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 5 days.
Jesse James Leija stopped Tony De La Rosa via KO in the 1st round. Leija improves his record to 8-0 (4 KOs)
On November 15, 2003, a 37-year-old Jesse James Leija (44-6-2, 18 KOs) and Fernando Mena met in the ring.
Leija came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 34% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 24 days.
Jesse James Leija stopped Fernando Mena via TKO in the 2nd round. Leija improves his record to 45-6-2 (19 KOs)
On May 1, 1998, a 31-year-old Jesse James Leija (35-3-2, 14 KOs) and Troy Crain met in the ring.
Leija came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 35% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 11 days.
Jesse James Leija stopped Troy Crain via KO in the 2nd round. Leija improves his record to 36-3-2 (15 KOs)