LAS VEGAS – Rolando Romero continued the strong start to his pro career Saturday by knocking out Arthur Ahmetovs.

Las Vegas’ Romero, who’s promoted by Floyd Mayweather’s company, knocked down Ahmetovs twice in the second round and stopped his previously unbeaten opponent less than halfway into that round. Romero’s victory came in the first fight on the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury undercard at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Referee Robert Hoyle halted their scheduled eight-rounder at 1:22 of the second round, with Ahmetovs still standing, taking punches when his back was against the ropes.

The 24-year-old Romero improved to 11-0 and recorded his 10th knockout. The Armenian-born Ahmetovs, of Delray Beach, Florida, slipped to 5-1 (2 KOs).

Romero first floored Ahmetovs with a straight right hand after slipping a punch about 20 seconds into the second round. Ahmetovs fell flat on his back, but he beat Hoyle’s count.

A left hook by Romero knocked Ahmetovs down again several seconds later, this time to one knee.

Ahmetovs reached his feet again, but he didn’t fight back. That’s when Hoyle stepped in to stop the bout.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.