In his third opportunity at a world title, Argentine knockout artist Lucas "La Maquina" Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) stopped previously undefeated Thai superstar Tewa Kiram (37-1, 27 KOs) in the eighth round of a scheduled 12-round fight to win the WBA Welterweight World Championship on HBO Boxing After Dark in front of a roaring crowd of 6,143 boxing fans at Los Angeles' "Fabulous" Forum. Photos by Ed Mulholland/HBO, Tom Hogan/Hoganphotos.
After several rounds in which Matthysse pushed forward to cut the distance, the 35-year-old landed an overhand right that dropped him immediately.
After Kiram got up, Matthysse landed a short left hand that ended matters at 1:21 of the eighth round.
At the time of the stoppage, two judges had Matthysse winning with scores of 68-65 and 69-64, while one judge had it 68-65 for Kiram, who went straight to the hospital after the fight.
"He [Kiram] moved really well, and he was really big. That's why it was hard to cut the distance. I didn't feel his power, but he felt mine, so that's why I was able to find him later and stop him. I'm here for the best and biggest names. I want the rematch with Danny Garcia or Manny Pacquiao. Those are the big fights I want, though of course that will be up to Mario Arano and Golden Boy Promotions to figure that out."
After a few rounds of good toe-to-toe action, Lopez landed a two-punch combination that floored Prescott hard. Upon getting up from the canvas, Lopez landed another hard right hand that ended the fight at 2:59 of the fifth round.
"It takes sacrifice to leave your home country and to be able to focus and get a win like this is so satisfying. I want to thank Joel Diaz, who has taken me in like his family and has helped me improve and refine my style."
