By Jake Donovan

HIDALGO

--

Austin Trout picked up his third straight win, dispatching late sub Luis Galarza in the seventh round of their over-the-limit junior middleweight contest Saturday afternoon at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. 

Trout was in control from the opening bell, rocking Galarza in round three but seeming content on getting in rounds and taking a landslide decision. 

The fighting heart of Galarza disallowed a slow-moving bout, as the Tennessee-based Boricua always comes to slug. It allowed Trout to show more of his offensive repertoire, flooring his foe in rounds five and six before forcing the stoppage one round later. 

Trout improves to 29-2 (16KOs) with the win, his third straight following a disastrous 2013 campaign that saw him endure the lone two losses of his career. A decision loss to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez was viewed as a valiant effort by Trout, unbeaten at the time of their 154 lb. unification bout. His defeat to Lara was far more convincing, and also suggestive of changes needed in his career, which he has since made in creeping back up in the rankings.

Galarza ends a three-fight win streak as he falls to 20-4 (14KOs). He landed the assignment on just three days notice, stepping in for Anthony Mundine, who suffered an untimely injury in withdrawing from the fight barely a week ago. 

The bout served in supporting capacity to a CBS-televised doubleheader, featuring: 

Omar Figueroa and Ricky Burns in a matchup of ex-lightweight titlists now campaigning in the 140 lb. division; and u

nbeaten Tomoki Kameda and secondary bantamweight titlist Jamie McDonnell in a 12-round bantamweight battle.

 

REST OF UNDERCARD (MORE RESULTS TO COME)

Local welterweight Enrique Alvarez remained unbeaten after scoring a third round stoppage over Alberto Espinoza (3-7, 0KOs). The bout began surprisingly competitive before the unbeaten 20-year old prospect settled down in round two. From there, the fight remained in one direction before Alvarez (6-0, 4KOs) was able to force the stoppage in round three.

Brandon Figueroa enjoyed a successful pro debut with a four-round win over Hector Gutierrez (2-8). Scores were 40-35 across the board for Figueroa (1-0), who is Omar's younger brother.

Opening the show, Houston's Darwin Price (7-0, 4KOs) scored a first round knockout of Juan Ovalle (4-7-2, 3KOS). Time of the stoppage was 1:37 of round one. 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox