Filipino journeyman Jino Rodrigo scored the biggest win of his pro career on Saturday, knocking out previously unbeaten Mathew Gonzalez in the first round of their scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Rodrigo, 13-4-2 (10 KOs), dropped the southpaw Gonzalez, 15-1-1 (10 KOs), with an overhand right around the guard. Gonzalez beat the count, but referee David Braslow halted it just 57 seconds into the fight, ruling that Gonzalez was unfit to continue.

“I did not expect to knock him out," Rodrigo told BoxingScene in his native Tagalog language. "I just had it in my mind that I would punch him.”

The strategy worked out as the 27-year-old Rodrigo – a native of Antipolo City, Philippines, who now resides in West Covina, California – earned the victory in just his second fight in the United States. In his most recent fight last June, Rodrigo dropped the highly regarded Elvis Rodriguez in the first round but lost a decision.

Gonzalez, 29, of Ridgewood, New York, had won three straight after his lone previous blemish, a six-round draw with Dakota Linger in 2021.

In the co-main event, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna, 39-5-1 (18 KOs), won his ninth straight fight, stopping Noel Lopez, 11-7-1 (4 KOs), at 2:07 of Round 2 of their scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

LaManna, 33, of Millville, New Jersey, dropped the 38-year-old Lopez, of Spring, Texas, with a jab in the second round before being sent down for the last time moments later, leading to a stoppage at the 2:07 mark.

LaManna was fighting for the first time since the cancellation of his fight with Jermall Charlo, which had been set for last week’s Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jnr card.

In other results, local favorite Daiyaan Butt, 20-2 (10 KOs), overcame a determined challenge from Bronx resident Issouf Kinda, 20-7 (9 KOs), winning a split decision in their eight-round junior welterweight bout. The scores were 77-74 and 76-75 for Butt, while the third judge had it 79-72.

Butt was hurt momentarily in the first round but rebounded by the middle rounds to back up Kinda. Kinda lost a point for holding in the final round, which was the difference in the fight.

Junior middleweight prospect Thanjae Teasley, 12-0 (6 KOs), remained undefeated as a pro, stopping Eudy Bernardo, 25-9 (18 KOs), with a body shot at 1:32 of Round 3 of a scheduled six-round fight. The 26-year-old Teasley, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has now stopped his past two opponents.

The card was promoted by Danny Garcia’s Swift Promotions.

Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.