UNBEATEN light-heavyweight hope Najee Lopez delivered an impressive performance in Florida last night, stopping grizzled gatekeeper Kalvin Henderson in five rounds of their Pro Box main event.
The contest was scheduled for 10 rounds, but Lopez’s early ambition, mostly displayed behind a hard jab, meant ‘Hot Sauce’ Henderson was quickly feeling the heat. The portly former contender arrived unbeaten in four, with his last loss coming to the powerful fists of David Morrell in 2022 for the WBA super-middleweight strap.
Lopez, improving to 15-0 (12 KOs), will fancy he can soon mix in that kind of company. He certainly matches Morrell for power, anyway. Softening up Henderson with left jabs and the occasional right hand for good measure, Lopez stepped on the gas in round five, landing a sharp right hand to the side of the head.
Henderson, 19-3-1 (3 KOs), staggered towards the ropes, indicating to 26-year-old Lopez that the end was there for the taking. The Georgian gleefully accepted such an invitation, raining in shots from both hands, prompting referee Massimo Montanini to dive in at 55 seconds of the round, instantly cooling ‘Hot Sauce’s’ ambitions.
The winner has plenty of ambition, lauding his victim’s experience and power; title shots are now within sight. “Y’all ain’t seen nothing yet!” buzzed Lopez, who admitted he took his time and followed the game plan, abandoning the reckless nature of old.
This Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee show provided plenty of low-key thrills on the undercard, as well-matched contests unsurprisingly made for bouts full of endeavour and pleasing to the eye. 12-0 prospect Emiliano Moreno was beaten over 10 rounds by a seriously pumped-up Raul Garcia.
Jeremy Hill lost a split decision to Cristian Chacon, while heavy-handed Californian Joshua Kevin Anton looked good, stopping his opponent in seven rounds.
