Angulo vs Lara results: Erislandy Lara gets off canvas twice, stops Angulo in 10th round

Erislandy Lara picked up the vacant interim WBA junior middleweight title tonight, stopping Alfredo Angulo suddenly in the 10th round of a very enjoyable and very rugged fight, landing a vicious left hand that smashed Angulo's left eye, leading to an instantly enormous hematoma.

When the punch landed, Angulo turned his back to the fight, didn't take a knee or go down, and referee Raul Caiz Sr stopped the bout immediately, giving Lara the TKO victory.

Lara (18-1-2, 12 KO) didn't have it easy, though. BLH had him leading 85-84 at the time of stoppage, but the Cuban was put down hard on left hooks in the fourth and ninth rounds. Ringside judges had it 85-84 for Lara twice, and 86-83 for Angulo on the third card.

With the win, Lara firmly establishes himself as a true contender at 154 pounds. For Angulo (22-3, 18 KO), it's another tough setback against a higher-level opponent, following losses to James Kirkland Kermit Cintron. He still lacks a true signature win, but the good news for "El Perro" is he's never going to want for a TV date -- he's just too exciting, and he did a lot better in this fight than many expected he would.

The main event on Showtime is up next, so join us for Marcos Maidana vs Josesito Lopez!