Photo by Amanda Westcott Showtime
Dejan Zlaticanin (22-0, 15 KOs) is now the first fighter from Montenegro to win a world title after stopping Franklin Mamani (21-3-1, 12 KOs) in Round 2 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.
The scheduled 12-round fight was televised on Showtime. Zlaticanin won the Lightweight title that was stripped from Jorge Linares in February due to a hand injury, though Linares will be able to immediately fight for it once he is ready.
Zlaticanin, 32, utterly dominated the fight, hurting Mamani in each round before stopping his overmatched opponent in Round 3.
Mamani, 29, of Bolivia, had no business being in the ring with Zlaticanin.
“I knew that I would knock him out. He stood too close to me,” said Zlaticanin.
Other names in the division include Terry Flanagan and Rances Barthelemy, though he called out Linares after his fight.
“I want Linares next. He can’t run from me anymore,” said Zlaticanin.
