?Rock Hard Mighty? Mason Menard (32-1, 24 KOs) stopped Bahodir Mamadjonov (19-3, 11 KOs) in the 9th round in Rochester with a sudden late-round explosion of power that showed that his spectacular knockout in April over previously unbeaten Eudy Bernardo was no fluke.
The awkward Mamadjonov held his ground in the early going but Mason slowly but surely came on pressing the action and throwing power-laden shots that were just missing their mark.
Finally in the 7th, Menard exploded and scored two knockdowns with punishing body shots. Then in the 9th, a hard straight right hand lead damaged Mamadjonov badly and for all practical purposes, the fight was over. But the referee was Steve Smoger and he let it continue while the Texan by way of Uzbekistan took a volley of brutal shots trapped in a corner. As Smoger went in to break the two from a clinch, Mamadjonov, who was out but standing, fell and was unconscious before he hit the canvas. Smoger then called it off, but he was a bit late is stopping the slaughter?at least in my view.
At any rate, given the less than compelling show by Kassi and Miller, this one was far more action-filled and entertaining, especially the sudden explosion by Mason Menard.
We can expect to see this Louisiana boy in future Showtime attractions. He has the goods.
