Cancio vs Machado 2 results: Andrew Cancio repeats, stops Alberto Machado in three

Back in February, Andrew Cancio came off the canvas to storm back and stop Alberto Machado in four, one of the big upsets of an upset-filled year thus far in boxing. But many felt perhaps it was a fluke, that Machado’s weight cut issues played the biggest role, and that in the rematch, Machado would get revenge and his WBA “world” super featherweight title back.

Nope. Cancio (21-4-2, 16 KO) came in with a clear game plan this time, pushing a hard, brutal pace and banging away at the taller Puerto Rican southpaw. By the end of the second round, Machado looked all but out on his feet, truly done, and Cancio didn’t waste time in the third, hammering Machado to the body with a left hook that put Machado (21-2, 17 KO) on the canvas, the fight stopped there.

It’s a huge win that cements Cancio as a top 130-pound fighter, proving February was no fluke, and that the 30-year-old fighter, once thought to be a gatekeeper at best, is a warrior to be reckoned with.

“It was a clean shot. For him to go down at that point, I knew I really threw it in there that time,” Cancio said. “I thought he was gonna get up, but I think he knew if he got up, I was going to keep coming forward. I told you guys, I’m here to stay. I want the world to know I wasn’t a fluke. You guys are seeing the new and improved Andrew Cancio.”

Cancio mentioned Rene Alvarado and Joseph Diaz Jr as possible opponents going forward.

“He’s a great champion, he showed that tonight,” Machado said. “I had an excellent training camp. What happened here is (Cancio) did his job. What we have to do is take some time, check with my team, and see if we have to move up.”