By Miguel Maravilla
In an upset, Cuban light heavyweight Raiko Santana (13-4, 7 KOs) of Cuba stopped Omaha, Nebraska Steven Nelson (20-2, 16 KOs) in the opening round. A hard right hand by Santana staggered Nelson as the Cuban followed up with his attack as referee Robert Hoyle prematurely stepped in to stop the fight at 2:38.
2024 Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde (3-0, 2 KOs) of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, stopped Sona Akale (9-4, 4 KO’s) in four rounds opening the Canelo Crawford preliminary card from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Getting things started early on, Verde dropped Akale in the first round. The Mexican Olympian stayed composed connecting with precise solid punches. However, a flurry of punches by Verde did it as the referee stepped in to stop the fight at 1:11 of the fourth.
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