Willie Limond is facing up to the third loss of his career after being stopped in the sixth round of his high-profile fight against Mexican legend Erik Morales.
However, there was no shame in defeat against the last man to have beaten Manny Pacquiao, the top-rated boxer in the world, as he continues his comeback from retirement.
Limond appeared to have won the first three rounds in front of 54,000 fans at the Plaza de Toros bullring in Mexico City, on a show organised to mark the country’s 200th anniversary of independence.
The 31-year-old Scot expertly moved around the ring to stay out of the reach of Morales, who has held world titles at three different weights.
Limond was landing more punches than his opponent although none troubled the home favourite.
But the Glasgow fighter, who had been sleeping with an oxygen mask to prepare him for fighting at altitude, began to struggle in the closing 30 seconds of the fourth round.
Limond’s movement slowed down but he still looked comfortable until he was caught in the side by a vicious left-handed body punch by Morales in the sixth round.
Limond, whose previous defeats came against Alex Arthur and Amir Khan, sank to his knees and struggled to get his breath back before being knocked down twice more as Morales continued to aim for his body.
The referee halted the fight when the Scotsman knelt down for a third time with 14 seconds remaining in the round.
The victory was the 50th professional career for 34-year-old Morales, on his second fight since coming out of retirement.
