Spence vs Garcia results and highlights: Eduardo Ramirez knocks out Miguel Flores in fifth round

Eduardo Ramirez got the Spence-Garcia PPV going in knockout fashion, stopping Miguel Flores early in the fifth round of their WBA featherweight title eliminator.

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Ramirez (24-2-3, 11 KO) looked sharp from the get-go here, out-landing and out-working Flores (24-4, 12 KO) in most of the first four rounds, though the 28-year-old Flores did look like he was picking up the pace and really getting into the bout in the fourth round. It’s worth noting that Flores came in here on short notice, replacing Julio Ceja just four days ago.

The TKO came at 20 seconds of the fifth round, with Ramirez touching Flores with a lead left hand, then crushing him with a right hook. Flores did get up, because he’s a tough kid, but he was done there, blood pouring from his face and very wobbly.

It’s a second straight loss for Flores, who was beaten by Leo Santa Cruz in a 130-pound title fight just over a year ago, and a second straight win for Ramirez, who defeated Leduan Barthelemy on that same card.

The win puts Ramirez, 27, in line for a shot at either Leo Santa Cruz — who still holds the WBA “super world” featherweight title despite his last two fights taking place at 130 pounds — or Xu Can, who holds the WBA “world” featherweight title. Santa Cruz might like that matchup (he was shown on screen in the audience in Arlington) as a way to move back down to 126, which is probably where he’s best off, and a way to maybe bounce back from his Oct. 31 loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Ramirez is credible, but Santa Cruz would be a big favorite.

As for possibly fighting Xu Can, that could be a really fun matchup with a lot of leather flying. Can’t go wrong here, really, and Ramirez has his place in line for a good opportunity.