by Cliff Rold

It took him a round to warm up but when he did it was a clinic in punishment as Featherweight Miguel Marriaga (17-0, 15 KO) of Colombia lit up 28-year old late replacement Mario Macias (25-12, 12 KO) of Iztacalco, Distrito Federal, Mexico on Saturday night at the Jose Cuervo Salon in Polanco, Distrito Federal, Mexico, scoring a stoppage in the third.  It was Macias’ fifth loss in seven starts.

Macias had a decent first round, firing the jab and working the perimeter of the ring.  Marriaga pressed the action and warmed to the task.  In the second, his pressure started to pay off big as he landed hard power shots throughout.

It was more than Macias could bear in round three.  Marriaga battered him along the ropes, Macias bravely keeping his feet but being turned every which way but shoeless for his troubles.  The referee looked ready to stop it on multiple occasions but Macias made it tough to pick the right moment.  It was a beating, but a clear final shot seemed to elude him.

Macias’ corner wasn’t willing to wait for it, making a sound choice.  As his corner rushed into the ring, the referee waved the fight closed at 1:32 of round three.

Marriaga showed pop but is still gaining refinement.  Whether we are seeing the emergence of a contender or the latest in a line of fun, flawed Colombian brawlers remains to be seen.

Also Webcast

Cruiserweight: Francisco Ortega TKO2 Ricardo Miramontes; Records Unavailable

Strawweight: Giovanni Andrade (1-1, 1 KO) KO2 Ruben Juarez (Record Unavailable)

Jr. Welterweight: Luis Huilot (5-4, 2 KO) UD6 Alex Quintero (6-1-2, 4 KO)

The card was webcast in the US on WBCBoxing.tv,

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene and a member of the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com