By Rene Ricardo Bernal

MASHANTUCKET, CT - In a middleweight contest, Olympian Ievgen Khytrov (14-0, 12 KOs) beat down Paul Mendez (19-3-2, 9 KOs)

Early on, Khytrov applied pressure on Mendez, backing up the California based fighter on the ropes. Khytrov’s heavy punches rattled Mendez who tried to use his jab to control the fight. Towards the end of the first round, Mendez mounted his own offense, resulting in an exchange at close quarters with Mendez absorbing most of the damage.

Khytrov used excellent upper body movement to cut the distance and get on the inside to land his combination, opening a cut over Mendez’s right eye. With a minute left in the third round, Khytrov stunned Mendez who managed to stay on his feet.

Mendez showed a great chin while the Ukrainian fighter maintained an excellent work rate throughout the fight, landing almost at will and staggering his opponent more than once.

Finally, Khytrov broke through in the ninth round as he trapped Mendez against the ropes, landing hard shots. With Mendez unresponsive to the onslaught, the referee stepped in to halt the punishment, giving Khytrov the stoppage win.

An Olympian who represented his native Ukraine, Khytrov also won an Amatuer World Championship before turning pro in 2013. Since then, the 27-year-old has dominated on his way to stopping contenders Josh Luteran and Nick Brinson in addition to previously unbeaten fighters Maurice Louishomme and Aaron Coley.

Now training out of Brooklyn, his last outing saw him dominate Kenneth McNeil in his first 10-round bout.

Fighting out of Delano, Calif., Mendez came into this fight undefeated in his last 15 bouts including four victories in 2015. A pro since 2009, the 27-year-old was making his east coast debut after stopping Andrik Saralegui in August and defeating veteran David Alonso Lopez.