CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) - No. 3 ranked IBF lightweight Julio Diaz knocked out Russell Stoner Jones in the first round Tuesday night.
Diaz (32-3, 24 KOs) stopped Jones 1:59 into the fight with a left hook to Jones' right eye. The 132-pound Jones (19-12, 14 KOs) made it to his feet by the mandatory eight count but then dropped to his knees and was counted out.
"I wasn't surprised it ended so quickly," said Diaz, who had knocked out two sparring partners with similar left hooks in preparation for this fight. "I feel very big and strong now. I am on top of my game right now and I want to take advantage of it against some big names that are out there."
It was the second straight first-round knockout for the 136 1/2-pound Diaz since losing last March to Jose Luis Castillo, then the WBC champion.