Linares vs Cano results: Jorge Linares stops Ivan Cano in four, retains WBC belt

Jorge Linares had never fought for a world title at home in Venezuela in his 13-year pro career, but he made that happen tonight in Caracas, stopping Mexico's Ivan Cano in the fourth round to easily retain his WBC lightweight belt after two knockdowns.

Linares (40-3, 27 KO) ate a few right hands in the first couple of rounds from Cano (23-7-2, 15 KO), who fought like he should have, as if he had nothing to lose. But the challenger was well outclassed in terms of speed, skill, accuracy, and power, with Linares busting him up when he unleashed combination shots. Once he started really targeting the body in the third round, the fight was effectively over.

In that third frame, Linares forced Cano to a knee after a pair of hooks to the midsection. Though Cano popped back up quickly and finished the round, the writing was on the wall, and the 30-year-old titleholder went on the attack again early in round four. Another sharp left hand to the body sent Cano down to a knee for a second time, and he didn't pop back up on that occasion. Referee Len Koivisto made the count and waved off the fight, giving Linares his second win of 2015.

We'll have to see what Linares does next, but the top five WBC ranked contenders at the moment are Dejan Zlaticanin, who is with Al Haymon; Italy's Emiliano Marsili; Kevin Mitchell, Linares' other win this year; Ivan Redkach, who is also with Haymon and was recently beaten by Zlaticanin; and Bolivia's Franklin Mamani, whose ranking is surely deserved as he has recent home wins over the likes of Fidel Bennett, an ancient Chop Chop Corley, and Eden Marquez.