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WBA super bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux was thoroughly dominant tonight to open the Pacquiao vs Bradley pay-per-view card, knocking down Philadelphia's Teon Kennedy five times en route to a fifth round stoppage. The official time of the fight was 1:11 of the fifth round, when Russell Mora stepped in to finally stop a one-sided wipeout performance.
[ Live Coverage: Mike Jones vs Randall Bailey Next ]
Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 KO) landed 48 of 98 power shots (49%), compared to just six of 40 (15%) for Kennedy (17-2-2, 7 KO). The fight was never close, and that was even with, as HBO's Emanuel Steward noted, Kennedy not really making mistakes. He was just badly outclassed.
For the Cuban titleholder, this was a statement-making performance. Yes, he was heavily favored to win, and win easily. But he did so in very impressive fashion, dropping Kennedy in the first, twice in the second, again in the fourth, and finally a final time in the fifth round. He made his case as a legit top fighter at 122 pounds, instead of just a hyper-talented fighter who figured to be among the best in the weight class.
One wonders if this performance was "exciting" enough to entice would-be opponent Nonito Donaire.
Our live coverage of Pacquiao vs Bradley continues here, with the vacant IBF welterweight title on the line next, as Mike Jones (26-0, 19 KO) faces Randall Bailey (42-7, 36 KO).
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