In a highly anticipated clash of junior middleweight KO Artists, unbeaten James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KOs) stopped Joel Julio (34-3, 31 KOs) after six brutal rounds at ther HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA. Kirkland pressed the action in round one cutting Julio over the right eye. Julio began to connect more in round two, but it was still Kirkland applying pressure. Huge sustained exchange in round three in which both fighters survived. Kirkland’s pressure seemed to be paying dividends as a busted up Julio wore down over the next few rounds. Kirkland walked through Julio’s big punches as he continued to break Julio down. The bout was stopped at the end of round six.
Junior welterweight Victor Ortiz (24-1-1, 19 KOs) scored a second round TKO over “Mighty” Mike Arnauotis (21-3-1, 10 KOs). Ortiz rocked Arnauotis with a straight left and got the stoppage with his follow-up attack. Time was 1:27.
The junior lightweight clash between Robert Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KOs) and Daud Yordan (17-0, 12 KOs) ended in a no decision after former IBF featherweight world champion and local hero Guerrero was cut over the right eye by an unintentional headbutt in round two. Time was 1:47 of ther second when it was stopped.
All Photos by Tom Hoagan/GBP