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LAS VEGAS – It took him three-plus rounds, but Javier Martinez got the spectacular knockout he sought Saturday.
The middleweight prospect from Milwaukee caught Calvin Metcalf with a right hook he snuck around Metcalf’s guard just before the midway mark of the fourth round. That devastating shot sent Metcalf flat on his back.
Referee Robert Hoyle quickly stopped the action as Metcalf convulsed on the canvas. The official time of the stoppage was 1:33 of the fourth round on the Jose Ramirez-Josh Taylor undercard at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
The 26-year-old Metcalf left the ring without any assistance.
The 25-year-old Martinez, a southpaw who was a decorated amateur, improved to 4-0 and recorded his second knockout. He was ahead 30-27 on all three scorecards entering the fourth round.
Kansas City’s Metcalf (10-6-1, 3 KOs) lost by knockout for the first time in nearly five years as a pro. He is 1-5 in his past six fights.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.