Unbeaten welterweight Eimantas Stanionis (11-0, 8 KOs) underlined his promise with a ninth-round stoppage of Justin DeLoach at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
The aggressive Stanionis, a 2016 Lithuanian Olympian, remained patient as Augusta’s DeLoach (19-5, 10 KOs) posed problems with his workrate and movement early on before finding success with a heavy left hook and stifling body work.
Photo: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions.
The Lithuanian’s steady drip of pressure told in the seventh as he staggered the seasoned DeLoach with a left hook and punished him with impunity. In the ninth, Stanionis finished the job after twice flooring DeLoach with a left hook bodyshot and right hand respectively. DeLoach was overwhelmed by a follow-up assault when referee Ray Corona stepped in.
Stanionis had former trainer Freddie Roach in his corner after current coach Marvin Somodio tested positive for Covid-19.
In the co-main event, super-welterweight contender Chordale Booker (16-0, 7 KOs) pipped Florida’s Sonny Duversonne (11-2-2, 8 KOs) on a split decision over eight rounds. Stamford southpaw Booker started strongly before Duversonne rallied well in the later rounds. Scores were 77-75 for Booker (twice) overruling a 77-75 nod for Duversonne.
At 140lbs, St. Louis’ undefeated Kent Cruz (16-0-1, 10 KOs) halted Erik Castillo (9-3, 3 KOs) after the second round, when the Mexican’s corner halted the fight between rounds. Trained by the respected Ronnie Shields, Cruz came out on top in an early firefight to emerge victorious in his first outing since January 2019.
Main image and all photos: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions.