WBO light flyweight champion Angel “Tito” Acosta (20-1, 20 KOs) knocked out former WBC champion Ganigan “El Maravilla” Lopez (35-9, 19 KOs) in the eighth round to defend his 108lb title on Saturday night at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
The heavy-handed Acosta was in command all the way and he battered Lopez to the deck for the count. Time was 1:55. This was Acosta’s third successful defense.
“We did all the work that we did in the gym,” said Acosta afterward. “Ganigan came here very intelligently. He knew how to move and how to avoid punches, especially after the first round when I hurt him.
“I want to unify but I also want to get the big purses. I’ve shown that I can knock people out just like the people in the bigger divisions. I’ve had 21 fights and 20 of them have ended by knockout, so I want the big money.”