Gonzalez dethrones Mares in one
Jhony Gonzalez (55-8) blasted out fellow Mexican Abner Mares (26-1-1) in one round to regain the WBC featherweight title on Saturday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Gonzalez nailed Mares with a powerful left hook that dropped the champion to the canvas with 30 seconds left to go in the 1st round. Mares managed to get back to his feet but was soon knocked down again from a left to the head followed by a right as he was falling down and referee Jack Reiss stepped in to stop the fight before Mares could get up with five seconds left in the round.
"I knew Mares was hurt and that sooner or later the fight would be over," Gonzalez said.
Mares suffered his first professional loss in what was his first defence of the belt he won by beating Daniel Ponce de Leon in May.
"I was alright but the ref did his job and I respect that," Mares said. "You win some you lose some. I am not in this sport to go and carry an undefeated record. I am going to take a break and enjoy my family and my kids."
On the undercard, Leo Santa Cruz (25-0-1) stopped Victor Terrazas (37-3-1) by a 3rd round TKO to win the WBC super bantamweight title.
Santa Cruz knocked Terrazas down twice in the 3rd round from left hooks to the head. After Terrazas got back to his feet he did not want to continue as he was unable to see out of his swollen right eye and referee Lou Moret halted the fight at 2:09 of the round.