Maidana TKOs Lopez in barnburner

Marcos Maidana, considered one of the most exciting fighters in the world due to his devastating power, put his wares on display against Josesito Lopez, Saturday (Sunday, PHL time), and earned a TKO victory at the Home Depot Center, in Carson, California, to claim the WBA Intercontinental welterweight title.

Maidana knocked down Lopez early in the sixth round with a straight left. Although Lopez made it back to his feet on wobbly legs, Maidana, smelling blood, went in for the kill. The latter connected with a huge right uppercut, which prompted referee Lou Moret to stop the fight.

"The key is not to let your opponent recuperate,” Maidana said after the fight. “I didn't let Lopez recover, but he let me."

The fight was ruled over at the 1:18 mark of the sixth round of a brutal battle.

Lopez had Maidana in trouble in the fourth round, as the former sent Maidana to the floor, though it was called as a slip.

"My trainer Robert Garcia told me 'We came here to fight a war, so go to war,'" said Maidana after going through a beating in the fourth round.

Although Lopez was scoring on more punches, Maidana’s power ended up as the big difference in the fight.

At the time of the stoppage, Lopez was up 48-47 on two cards while Maidana was up by the same score on the third card.

Maidana raised his record to 34 wins against three losses with 31 of his wins coming via knockout. He now looks forward to a possible fight against fellow Argentinian Lucas Matthysse, who holds an equally impressive record of 34 wins against only two losses, with 32 of his wins coming via the short route.

Lopez on the other hand drops down to 30 wins and six losses. He has now suffered his third defeat in four fights.

"Well, it's just time to go back to the drawing board,” Lopez said after the fight. "I felt like the stoppage was premature. We're professionals. I was stunned but not down for the count."  - CLP, GMA News