By Arvin Nundloll at ringside
Photos: Sumio Yamada
WBO #6 junior flyweight Angel “Tito” Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs) dismantled #4 rated Juan “Pinky” Alejo (25-5-1, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBO world title on Saturday night at MSG. The San Juan fighter Acosta brought the pain and sought out to punish Alejo from the opening bell, pressing the action and landing uppercuts that snapped back Alejo. During the middle rounds, Alejo was able to land some menacing hooks and remind Acosta that he is was still a threat in the ring. The end came calling for Alejo in the 10th round from a crushing left hook from Acosta that sealed the deal. Official time of the stoppage was 1:33 in round 10.
The belt became vacant when unbeaten two-time world champion Kosei Tanaka abruptly vacated the title earlier in the week to move up to the flyweight category to pursue his third belt. As the result, the Acosta-Alejo bout was upgraded from interim to full world title.