KAL YAFAI was knocked out by legendary Roman Gonzalez as his claim to Britain’s longest reigning champion came to a brave end.
The 30-year-old suffered his first professional lost while surrendering the WBA super-flyweight title to four-division great ‘Chocolatito’.
Yafai was dropped in round eight before a stunning right hand in the ninth left the Team GB representative unable to beat the count.
Gonzalez – a former pound-for-pound star – becomes a world champion for the first time since losing his unbeaten record and flyweight throne to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017.
On the undercard Welshman Jay Harris took WBC flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez all the way to the wire over 12 rounds but lost on points.
Harris, who was floored in round 10, said: “Obviously I am very, very disappointed, but I can take a lot from this.
“I think 115-112 was about right, maybe I thought I nicked a draw, but as everyone saw, I gave it 100 per cent.
“I was getting booed going out and it sounded like I left the ring with a stadium full of fans. I showed I am a world-level fighter.”
In the main-event American star Mikey Garcia bounced back after a slow start to outwork Jessie Vargas to a decision victory.
Garcia dropped Vargas in fifth with a solid combination and went on to secure his first win at welterweight.
The four-weight champion was dominated by IBF king Errol Spence Jr last year, but vowed to make a run at 147lb and called out WBA champion Manny Pacquiao.
Garcia said: “I’m ready to get back in with the best.
“I would love to get a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao, or a rematch with Errol Spence. I think it would be a tremendous fight.”
Heavyweight contender Joseph Parker also scored a comprehensive knockout against Shawndell Winters in five rounds.
The New Zealander – who was beaten by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in 2018 – landed a thudding counter right hook that shook Winters before a combination sent the American almost falling through the ropes.
Winters got to his feet but the referee stopped the fight.
Parker was set to face Derek Chisora in October before sensationally pulling out of the fight with a spider bite.
The former WBO champion called out Chisora – who is in line to face Oleksandr Usyk in May – as well as Whyte.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
