By Jake Donovan
David Sanchez enjoyed a hero's welcome prior to scoring perhaps the biggest win of his career, a 4th round stoppage of Marco Demecillo in their super flyweight bout Saturday evening in Hermosillo, Mexico.
The crowd was unapologetic in their wavering support of the hometown contender, and Sanchez didn't disappoint. The action was furious from the opening bell, with the house fighter scoring repeatedly with right uppercuts and digging body shots.
Demecillo showed a constant willing to engage, refusing to willingly play the role of opponent having traveled away from the Philippines. The former Top 10 contender went toe-to-toe with the Mexican puncher, much to the delight of the crowd though ultimately to his own detriment.
Two-way action poured all the way through the fourth round before Sanchez ended matters in the blink of an eye. A right uppercut began the rally, followed by nearly a dozen left hooks and right hands to the body. Demecillo did his best to absorb the pain and keep charging forward, but a pair of power shots upstairs produced a delayed reaction knockdown that left the Filipino dazed.
The referee began to administer a count, only to reach four before waving off the fight after Demecillo fell to a heap upon attempting to rise to his feet.
The official time was 2:56 of round four.
Sanchez improves to 24-2-2 (19KO) with the win, his 14th straight dating back to 2011. Saturday's win keeps the streaking puncher in line for a shot at the winner of the forthcoming 115 lb. title fight between Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and mandatory challenger Carlos Cuadras.
Demecillo, once on the verge of title contention, suddenly finds his career at a crossroads. The 23-year old falls to 19-2-1 (14KO), with both career losses coming within his last three fights.
The bout aired live on UniMas in the United States and on TV Azteca in Mexico.
Undercard bouts aired live on TV Azteca, and via two-hour tape delay on UniMas. A full report of the televised bouts - including Felipe Orucuta's 10th round stoppage of Gabriel Pena - can be found here.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board, Yahoo Boxing Ratings Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox