Nelson Retains WBC Title With a Sixth-Round TKO

Older, bolder and stronger than ever, a resurgent Azumah Nelson knocked and socked Jesse James Leija around the ring to retain his World Boxing Council super-featherweight title with a bloody sixth-round technical knockout Saturday night.

It came five rounds later than the 37-year-old Nelson had predicted, but it was resoundingly impressive nonetheless, and redeemed a loss at Leija’s hands two years ago. Their first meeting, in 1993, was a draw.

“This time, I was more serious,” said Nelson, who regained his title last December with a knockout of Gabriel Ruelas. “I told you I was going to try for a first or second-round knockout, because no one’s ever beaten me twice.”

After dropping Leija in the first, then opening two cuts over Leija’s right eye with a savage left hook in the fifth, Nelson, who looked stronger than ever, bombed away in the sixth as blood trickled down Leija’s face.

Referee Richard Steele stopped the bout at 1:58 of the round, as Leija covered up and staggered back.

Though some in the crowd of 3,710 at Boulder Station Hotel booed the stoppage, neither Leija nor his corner protested.

“The referee did a good job,” said Leija cornerman Don Kahn. “[Leija] was punching him good, but he was just too strong. He did no damage.”

Nelson (39-3-2, 28 knockouts), who predicted a first-round knockout, came close, but Leija (30-3-2) survived.

“It was nothing different [than the last fight],” Leija said. “I just got cut early.”