Jesse James Leija has seven losses against seven opponents on his boxing record. For a list of Leija's best fights, refer to "Best fights of Jesse James Leija".
On January 29, 2005 Jesse James Leija fought Arturo Gatti in a super-lightweight world-title fight for Gatti's WBC title. Leija was 38 years old and with a record of 47-7-2 (19), and Gatti was 32 years old and with a record of 38-6 (29). Leija lost the fight via 5th-round KO.
On January 19, 2003 Jesse James Leija fought Kostya Tszyu in a super-lightweight world-title fight for Tszyu's WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and The Ring titles. Leija was 36 years old and with a record of 43-6-2 (17), and Tszyu was 33 years old and with a record of 29-1 (23). Leija lost the fight via 6th-round retirement.
On August 5, 2000 Jesse James Leija faced off against Juan Lazcano at age 34. He was coming in with a record of 40-5-2 (16), and Lazcano was 25 years old and with a record of 23-2-1 (17). Leija lost the fight via 10-round split decision.
On November 14, 1998 Jesse James Leija fought Shane Mosley in a lightweight world-title fight for Mosley's IBF title. Leija was 32 years old and with a record of 37-4-2 (15), and Mosley was 27 years old and with a record of 29-0 (27). Leija lost the fight via 9th-round retirement.
On June 1, 1996 Jesse James Leija fought Azumah Nelson in a super-featherweight world-title fight for Nelson's WBC title. Leija was 29 years old and with a record of 30-3-2 (14), and Nelson was 37 years old and with a record of 37-3-2 (26). Leija lost the fight via 6th-round TKO.
On December 15, 1995 Jesse James Leija fought Oscar De La Hoya in a lightweight world-title fight for De La Hoya's WBO title. Leija was 29 years old and with a record of 30-2-2 (14), and De La Hoya was 22 years old and with a record of 19-0 (17). Leija lost the fight via 2nd-round retirement.
On September 17, 1994 Jesse James Leija met Gabriel Ruelas in a super-featherweight (WBC) world-title defense fight. Leija was 28 years old and with a record of 28-1-2 (13), and Ruelas was 24 years old and with a record of 38-2 (21). Leija lost the fight via 12-round unanimous decision and lost the title.
