Lightweight Thomas Mattice stopped Rondale Hubbert in the opening round this past Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan Lounge in Decatur, Georgia.

Mattice, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, improves to 16-2-1, 12 knockouts. 

Saturday marked Mattice’s return to the ring since losing a close majority decision to Isaac Cruz of Mexico City on February 14 of last year. In his previous fight in September 2019, which headlined a ShoBox telecast, Mattice won by knockout over prospect Michael Dutchover, who entered the bout unbeaten.

Midway through the opening round, Mattice dropped Hubbert to one knee with a left hook to the body. Hubbert beat the count, but was dropped again from a combination to the body. Referee Jeff Dodson counted Hubbert out at 2:08.

The 30-year-old has now won three of his last four bouts since losing to Will Madera by unanimous decision in February 2019. Mattice is also known for overcoming a knockdown to defeat Zhora Hamazaryan in July 2018, in a fight several thought Hamazaryan did enough to win.

Hubbert, who resides in Fargo, North Dakota, drops to 13-16-2, 8 KOs and has now lost his nine bouts, his last four by knockout. 

In junior middleweight action, D’Andre Smith of Decatur defeated Andre Byrd by majority decision. One judge scored the bout 57-57, while the other two judges scored the bout 59-55 for Smith, who improves to 9-1, 5 KOs. 

Smith had not fought since losing by unanimous decision to gatekeeper Benjamin Whitaker on September 5. 

Byrd, who resides in Jacksonville, Florida, drops to 8-10-2, 1 KO.

Wilver Hernandez, a 11-time national champion and having fought over 300 amateur fights, made his professional debut a successful one, stopping Austin Lajiness at 41 second of the opening round. Hernandez, who is originally from Acayucan, Mexico and now resides in Kansas City, Kansas, weighed 122 pounds for the fight.

Hernandez, along with Mattice, are signed to Vick Green, who promoted the sold-out card. Green runs Pulse Boxing Promotions. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.