CARSON, Calif. — Brandon Rios stopped Urbano Antillon with 11 seconds left in the third round of an action-packed fight Saturday night, retaining his WBA lightweight title in dramatic fashion.
After two rounds of toe-to-toe slugging, Rios (28-0-1, 20 KOs) knocked down Antillon twice in the third.
Rios landed a crushing left hook for the first knockdown and an overhand right moments later sent Antillon face-first into the canvas.
Antillon unsteadily got back up, but referee David Mendoza stopped the bout moments later when Antillon (28-3) staggered toward his corner out of a clinch. Rios jumped onto the ropes to celebrate the biggest victory yet for a relentless brawler who could be a future opponent for Manny Pacquiao.
“I said this fight would come down to the guy who could take the punch best,” Rios said. “I was that guy. I’m tough and I’m younger. I’ve got power in both hands. I knew I was going to win because I’m younger and stronger.”
Rios trains in Oxnard, Calif., and Antillon is from nearby Maywood. In a stadium full of fans supporting both Southern California fighters, Rios made a thrilling first defense of the title he won in February with a 10th-round stoppage of Miguel Acosta.
Although Antillon established himself as one of the sport’s most crowd-pleasing fighters in three title shots against Acosta, Humberto Soto and Rios, Antillon has lost all three bouts.
“I got caught,” Antillon said. “Soto is a great champion who has good defensive skills. Rios is very strong. He’s much stronger than Soto. I just got caught.”
It was an action-packed fight from the opening minute, with both fighters landing huge shots in the first round. The quick start surprised nobody, since both boxers have little interest in defense to go with their mutual dislike.
“I took my anger toward him into the ring,” Rios said.
