Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua overwhelmed Randy Petalcorin with a savage head and body attack en route to a seventh-round stoppage Monday night to bag the International Boxing Federation lightflyweight crown at the Midas Hotel and Casino.
Petalcorin was forced to engage with the heavy-handed Alvarado as early as the first round and the torrid phase went on until US referee Ernest Sharif decided to stop the scheduled 11-rounder at the 2:04 mark as the Filipino southpaw barely beat the count after his third trip to the floor.
Before the roof caved in for Petalcorin, Alvarado had him in serious trouble twice after getting downed as the Central American banger unleashed a furious attack with his weary foe on the ropes.
Though outgunned by his power-punching rival, Petalcorin didn?t hand the previously vacant IBF 105-lb crown on a silver platter after having his moments as well.
But because Alvarado never took his foot of the gas pedal, Petalcorin had no choice but to return fire, something that worked in Alvarado?s favor.
At the time of the stoppage, Alvarado was ahead on the scorecards of the US and Mexican judge while the Filipino had it in favor of Petalcorin.
