Floyd Mayweather’s teenage protege Curmel Moton made it six KOs from seven fights with a stunning win over Frank Zaldivar.
Moton is attracting huge plaudits as one of the brightest young talents in the sport at the age of just 18, having started his professional career with a perfect record thus far.
The American is believed to be a superstar in the making, and has been working under the stewardship of boxing legend and former five-weight world champion Mayweather.
He made a step up to the preliminary card of David Benavidez vs David Morrell at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, almost a second home to Mayweather in his own career.
Moton took on rugged Cuban Zladivar looking to bowl over his latest rival and make yet another statement on the biggest platform of his career to date.
And he did exactly that within three rounds, scoring a sensational KO to halt the contest at the midway point.
He pummeled his rival with some big shots, a big puncher for the lightweight division, and the referee had seen enough stepping in to prevent Zaldivar from taking more damage.
It extended his active stoppage streak to four fights and was the sixth KO from his seven maiden fights in the paid ranks so far.
He said after his victory: “I’m only 18 and I’m growing a lot.
“I’ve definitely noticed my body has changed, too.
“I’m getting stronger and stronger, and I’m learning how to place my punches better and better.
“So I feel like, as time goes on, I’m gonna be getting a lot more knockouts.”
Moton took control of the contest from the opening bell, with the first round a quiet affair as he looked to find his rhythm.
The shots began unloading in the second as proceedings swung far in the way of Moton, who found his target with some neat hooks and a notable swift uppercut.
Zaldivar tried to throw back, a notable difference from Moton’s previous rivals, showing he wasn’t there to simply lie down.
But the vast disparity in quality was clear for all to see as the teenage prodigy went through the gears in the third round.
He pushed his rival towards the ropes with a relentless barrage, and Zaldivar eventually wilted with the referee stepping between the pair.
The level will continue to gradually increase for the supremely talented lightweight, who has the world at his feet.
He is aware of the growing comparisons, but is desperately trying to keep his feet on the ground.
“There’s a lot of hype around me, and I’ve got big shoes to fill,” he added previously.
“I’m ready for it, and that’s why I’m putting in all the work.
“I want to be a world champion one day, so I’m on the right track.”
