Lucas Matthysse stopped Tewa Kiram to win the WBA Welterweight title at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
Matthysse suffered an abrasion over his left eye in round five of a fight that lacked action over the first seven rounds.
In round eight, Matthysse dropped Kiram with a hard left hand, It was another left hand that sent Kiram on his back for a second and final time and the bout was stopped at 1:21.
Matthysse, 147 lbs of Chubut, ARG is now 39-4 with 36 knockouts. Kiram, 146.4 lbs of Buriram, THA is now 37-1.
“I’m really happy,” said Lucas Matthysse. “He [Kiram] moved really well, and he was really big. That’s why it was hard to cut the distance. I didn’t feel his power, but he felt mine, so that’s why I was able to find him later and stop him. I’m here for the best and biggest names. I want the rematch with Danny Garcia or Manny Pacquiao. Those are the big fights I want, though of course that will be up to Mario Arano and Golden Boy Promotions to figure that out.”
Jorge Linares retained the WBA Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Mercito Gesta.
In round eight, Linares was cut over his right eye.
Linares outlanded Gesta 171-120.
Linares, 135 lbs of Barinas, VEN won by scores of 118-110 twice and 117-111, and is now 44-3. Gesta, 134.8 lbs of San Diego is now 31-2-2.
“I didn’t really feel his [Gesta’s] power, though I hurt my hand in the fourth or fifth round,” said Jorge Linares. “I threw my right hand without really putting too much power into it. I was just touching him. There wasn’t a knockout because he was well prepared. Like I said to Oscar De La Hoya, I don’t want to mention names for my next opponent. You know what’s nice? That people mention my name [as a possible opponent]. That’s fine that they mention my name, but let’s get them in the ring. Let them get in the ring with me.”
“I fought against a world champion, and that was a great privilege,” said Mercito Gesta. “He [Linares] adjusted well to my style after the first couple of rounds. Overall, I am proud of myself for taking this tough fight, and I know me and coach Freddie Roach came in with the best game plan. We just fell a little short.”
