EL PASO, TEXAS - In the opening bout of the evening, undefeated 140-pound contender knocked out Fernando Angulo with a thundering right to earn a mandatory shot at the winner of the scheduled fall showdown between Viktor Postol and Lucas Matthysse for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight World Championship.
It appeared to be a difficult fight for Imam (18-0, 15 KOs), but he was always in control and supremely accurate, landing 54 percent of his power punches compared to just 17 for Angulo (28-10, 16 KOs). Imam ended the bout in brilliant fashion with a powerful right to Angulo's ear, forcing his opponent to fall face-forward to the canvas and the referee to instantly stop the contest at :56.
"I take my hat off. He's a good opponent," Imam said. "I just hit him with a big shot on his ear and he was done.
"These guys get the belts and just hold it. I'm going to get the belt and hold it with pride. All these cherry picking guys - Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner. (Viktor) Postol and (Lucas) Matthysse - I get that winner so we can get that belt."
Said Imam promoter and Hall of Famer Don King, "It was an excellent performance - just what I expected and more. You should never underestimate but pontificate when it comes to the 'Young Master.' We will take the belts and anyone that comes in front of us."