By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Rising super middleweight contender David Benavidez (17-0, 16 KOs) needed only two minutes to put away Sherali Mamajonov (14-2, 7 KOs).

Benavidez took his time and was patient, but near the end of the first round he unleashed a series of punches to drop Mamajonov right before the bell.

Benavidez picked up where he left off in the second, with a series of shots to drop Mamajonov, who appeared hurt when he got to his feet and referee Russell Mora waved off the contest.

 "I am a little disappointed because I wanted to give the crowd a spectacular knockout," Benavidez said.

"This is my first time fighting at MGM Grand and I will never forget it. The atmosphere here is amazing. This fight week has been the best experience of my life. I want to continue to fight as much as I can. I want to perfect my craft, train as hard as I can and be the best that I can be."

2012 Olympian Josh Taylor (8-0, 7 KOs) went the distance for the first time in his career, with an eight round unanimous decision over tough as nails Alfonso Olvera (8-3-1, 3 KOs) in a super lightweight contest. The scores were 79-72, 78-73, 78-73.

Olvera was game and came out looking to exchange punches with Taylor at close range in the first round. Taylor rocked the knees of Olvera in the second round with flush hooks to the head. Not quit in Olvera in the third, as he continued to let his hands go to entice Taylor into a slugfest.

Taylor once again rocked the knees of Olvera during the fourth. Olvera was able to recover and fought his way out of trouble. Taylor was deducted a point in the sixth round for a low blow, but otherwise dominated the three minutes.

Taylor and Olvera were slugging away at the start of the seventh and continued a very active pace of punches for the entire three minutes. They continued to slug away during the eight, with both getting in their shots until the final bell.