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American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas – Felix “El Gemelo” Alvarado (36-2, 31 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua defended his IBF junior flyweight world championship with a technical knockout victory against former 105-pound champion DeeJay Kriel (16-2-1, 8 KOs) of Gauteng, South Africa.
The fight was stopped at 1:39 of the 10th round.
Alvarado seemed to be on his way to a knockout in the early rounds – when he dropped Kriel twice in four rounds.
Kriel was able to bounce back, showing heart by fighting and attempting to rally down the stretch as the fight continued.
During the second half of the contest, Alvarado caught a second wind and began to punish Kriel with more power punch combinations until the referee had seen enough and stepped in to wave off the contest.
“I knew this would be a tough fight. He was a mandatory challenger and a former world champion, so I knew it would be tough. I got a bit tired, but that was because of his experience,” Alvarado said.
“I also dropped him with a hook, and I didn’t even expect for a punch like that to land. But rather than keep looking for that punch, I kept pushing him to the ropes to wear him down. I’m very happy to obtain this win because it is a dream come true for the Alvarado brothers to fight on the same card.”
And now Alvarado is hoping to face one of the other world champions in the weight class.
“I want any of the other world champions so I can show who is the best in the division,” Alvarado said.
Also on the card, welterweight prospect Raul “Cougar” Curiel (9-0, 7 KOs) of Tampico, Mexico scored a second-round technical knockout victory against Ramses Agaton (22-13-3, 12 KOs) of Tlalnepantla, Mexico in a scheduled 10-round fight.
The fight was stopped at 1:16 of the aforementioned round.
“I felt really good and strong,” said Curiel. “I felt that my opponent was a bit heavy. But I’m happy that I was able to deliver a great performance. I’m ready for any opponent that they bring to me at welterweight.”