All photos by Ismael Gallardo/RBRBoxing
After the afternoon headliner between Robert Guerrero and Aron Martinez took place, there was still more action at the StubHub Center in Carson, California as Jesus Cuellar (27-1, 20 KOs) defended a version of the WBA Featherweight title in an eighth-round stoppage of Vic Darchinyan (40-8-1, 4 KOs).
The scheduled 12-round battle between two southpaws was televised on NBCSN in the U.S.
Cuellar, a 28-year-old native of Argentina, began a bit too recklessly as he came forward with hard jabs and strong left hands.
Cuellar landed shots, but was also wobbled by Darchinyan signature overhand left. Cuellar hit the ground, but it was ruled a slip.
As his trainer, Robert Garcia, asked him to work his jab and not overreach, Cuellar began boxing a bit more smarter in Round 2. Cuellar began using his jab to put Darchinyan against the ropes, where he landed combination punches.
In Round 4, however, Darchinyan landed a powerful right hand that wobbled Cuellar again. It seemed as if Darchinyan–whose best fights were at Bantamweight and Flyweight–had a chance of winning today.
However, Darchinyan’s age and size disadvantage caught up with him as a powerful right hand floored him in Round 8.
Darchinyan’s corner could be seen with their white towel as they pleaded referee Tom Taylor to stop the fight, but the referee could neither hear nor see them.
It would take another vicious combination on the ropes for the referee to stop the fight.
Darchinyan, who has been stopped in 3 of 6 of his last fights, may look to retire now, while Cuellar calls out Abner Mares for a Featherweight showdown.
“I want to fight again as soon as possible. I saw Abner Mares sitting in the first row and I want to fight him next,” said Cuellar.
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