Romero Defends IBF Title With a 12th-Round TKO

INDIO, Calif. — Danny Romero successfully defended his International Boxing Federation super-flyweight title with a 12th-round technical knockout over Hipolito “Polo” Saucedo Friday night.

In the most prominent undercard bout, undefeated heavyweight Lou Savarese overcame a slow start to score a seventh-round technical knockout over Buster Mathis Jr.

Romero’s victory improved his record to 29-1 with 26 knockouts. He hit Saucedo with repeated power punches during the fight but the challenger weathered the barrages. In the third round, Romero scored a flash knockdown when he connected with a right uppercut to the chin. Saucedo immediately got up, but referee Robert Byrd stepped in and issued a standing eight count.

Romero continued to land the stronger punches and knocked Saucedo down late in the 11th round. In the opening seconds of the 12th, he landed a straight right that sent Saucedo to the canvas. Byrd stopped the fight over with 1:59 to go in the round.

Saucedo record fell to 12-3-1.

Savarese had trouble solving the awkward Mathis, finally breaking through in the seventh round when he landed an uppercut followed by an overhand right that sent Mathis slumping through the ropes.

A left hook to the head then sent Mathis to one knee. He got up at the count of nine but was noticeably dazed and referee James Jen-Kin stopped it with eight seconds to go in the round.

Savarese improved to 36-0 with 30 knockouts. Mathis fell to 21-2.