Elvis Rodriguez beats up, stops Juan Velasco in seven rounds
Elvis lives!
Junior welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez put Juan Velasco down three times in the seventh round and stopped him that round on the Tim Tszyu-Terrell Gausha card Saturday in Minneapolis.
It was the Domincan’s second consecutive victory since he was upset by Kenneth Sims in May of last year.
Rodriguez (13-1-1, 12 KOs) used the first round to feel out Velasco (23-3, 14 KOs) and then unloaded on his Argentine opponent, cutting him and breaking him down with an efficient attack.
Velasco was damaged by the end of Round 6. Then, in Round 7, he collapsed. Rodriguez put him down with a right, sent him down a second time under a barrage of punches and then did the same near the end of the round.
Velcasco, hurt badly and with no hope of winning, staying down for the 10 count. He has now been stopped by Regis Prograis, Mario Barrios and Rodriguez.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:49 of Round 7.
Rodriguez landed a remarkable 63 percent of his power shots, according to CompuBox. He outlanded Velasco in overall punches 122-41, which indicates how dominating Rodriguez was.
He was asked afterward who he would like to fight next.
“I’m ready for anybody at 140,” he said, “be it Gervonta Davis or Rolly Romero. I’m ready and prepared.”
That appeared to be the case on Saturday.
