By Francisco Salazar

Lightweight Felix Verdejo proved in his previous bout he could utilize his boxing skills to win by decision.

On Saturday night, Verdejo reminded the boxing world that he could still provide a highlight-reel knockout.

Verdejo scored a spectacular third round knockout victory over Sergio Villanueva before a packed and partisan crowd at the Bahia Shrine Temple in Orlando, Florida.

The bout topped a Top Rank card and the bout was broadcast live on UniMas.

Verdejo, who won a Bronze Medal for Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, was coming off a one-sided eight round unanimous decision over Oscar Bravo on August 16 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Verdejo got much-needed experience in that bout against Bravo, proving he was not just blowing out opponents while not breaking a sweat.

Villanueva had lost two of three bouts prior to stepping in the ring against Verdejo. Villanueva figured to give Verdejo rounds, considering he has only been stopped once in his career (Jose Pedraza).

Villanueva came to fight on Saturday night. He pressed the fight, while Verdejo looked to counter. Verdejo was share with his punches, slipping a right or left to the head of Villanueva.

In the third round, Verdejo switched from a conventional stance to that of a southpaw. Verdejo continued to make Villanueva miss, while attempting to counter.

"My corner told me to fight from a southpaw stance," said Verdejo after the fight. "I was able to catch him."

After the midway point of the round, Villanueva was able to get on the inside of Verdejo's guard and tried to throw a punch. Verdejo was able to counter with a well-timed right hook to the head, snapping Villanueva's yea back. Villanueva fell face-first to the canvas, with the upper part of his body landing on the bottom rope. Villanueva struggled to get up, prompting referee Frank Santore to stop the fight at 1:57.

Verdejo, who resides in San Juan, Puerto Rico, improves to 15-0, 11 KOs. Villanueva, from Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, drops to 26-5-2, 13 KOs.

In the "Solo Boxeo Tecate" co-feature bout, super featherweight Gamalier Rodriguez stopped Martin Cardona in the second round of a scheduled eight round bout.

From the opening bell, Rodriguez was the aggressor, putting Cardona on the defensive. With about 30 seconds left in the first round, Rodriguez dropped Cardona to the canvas with a counter overhand right to the head. Cardona got up and was able to survive the round.

Forty seconds into the second round, Rodriguez hurt Cardona with another overhand right hand. Cardona staggered backwards with his back to the ropes, trying to protect himself from the onslaught from Rodriguez. As Cardona attempted to avoid further punishment, referee Sam Burgos saw enough and waved the fight over at 49 seconds.