Super middleweight prospect Money Powell IV stopped journeyman Patrick Pierre in the opening round Saturday night at the Dekalb County Schools Coliseum in Rainsville, Alabama.

With the victory, Powell improves to 11-1, 7 knockouts.

Powell, who was born in Germany and now resides in Fort Mitchell, had not fought since suffering his loss as a pro at the hands of Vaughn Alexander on August 31 of last year in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From the opening bell, Powell was the aggressor, putting Pierre on the defensive. The 22-year-old was relentless, hurting Pierre with a left hook to the body, following up with a three-punch combination that sent Pierre reeling against the ropes. Powell followed up, battering Pierre against the ropes until the referee stepped in and stopped the bout.

Powell is managed by David McWater,

Pierre, who resides in New Orleans, Louisiana, drops to 3-12, 1 KO and has now lost 10 of his last 11 bouts.

Hard-hitting junior welterweight Christopher McCoy knocked out Ariel Vasquez in round 3 of a scheduled six-round bout.

McCoy (5-0-1, 5 KOs) battered Vasquez throughout much of the fight. The 20-year-old landed a barrage of punches midway through round 3, dropping Vasquez to the canvas. Vasquez would remain on one knee as he was counted out.

Vasquez, who resides in Managua, Nicaragua, drops to 14-28-3, 9 KOs.

Middleweight Sonya Drelling, who resides in nearby Fort Payne, improved to 4-0, 2 KOs by defeating Latasha Burton (4-14) of Houma, Louisiana by unanimous decision. Burton has now lost her last 12 bouts.

Cruiserweight Allen Melson notched a one-punch knockout victory over Fredrick Gray (0-1) of Stone Mountain, Georgia in the opening round. Melson (2-3, 1 KO) resides in Houston, Texas.

Welterweight Omar Rosales defeated Ashton Royal (0-2) of Mount Pleasant, Texas by unanimous decision over four rounds. Rosales, who was born in Estansuela, Jalisco and now resides in Houston, was making his pro debut.

Promoter of the card was One One Six Boxing Promotions.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing