Manuel “Tino” Avila (15-0, 6 KOs) scored the most impressive victory of his young career by knocking out David De La Mora (25-6, 18 KOs) on Thursday night in the second round at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California.
The taller Avila used his height advantage to control the distance in the opening stanza. De La Mora, who made an unsuccessful bid for a world title in 2012, connected with a couple of right hands. Avila, last seen in the ring winning a hard-fought 10 round decision over Enrique Queued last February, tripled up on his jab. The round was tame in comparison to what transpired in round two.
As the fighters mixed it up near the ropes, Avila, 22, stepped back and fired a right-left combination. The left dropped De La Mora on the seat of his pants.
The 25-year-old from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, beat the count and attempted to fight back, but another crisp left hook buckled his knees. Avila calmly backed De La Mora into the ropes and floored him for the second time with a combination of punches. Up at nine, De La Mora had a look of resignation on his face. Avila tagged him with a lead right hand – forcing De La Mora to grab and hold, but seconds’ later a short right hook deposited him on his back.
Referee Pat Russell immediately waved off the contest.
The time was 1:52 seconds of round two.
- TO WRITE FOR DOGHOUSE BOXING: E-mail John now at: marlow_58@hotmail.com
John J. Raspanti responds to all his emails. Please send all questions and comments to John at: marlow_58@hotmail.com
