Mayweather Defeats Bruseles in His Pursuit of a New Title

Floyd Mayweather Jr. took a step toward a title in a third weight class by stopping Henry Bruseles with 55 seconds left in the eighth round Saturday night.

Mayweather, the former World Boxing Council super featherweight and lightweight champion who is pursuing a crown in the 140-pound class, was never in trouble as his quick combinations frustrated Bruseles in the scheduled 12-round bout at AmericanAirlines Arena.

While Mayweather set the tone in the fight with his speed, he used an impressive power-punching display in the eighth to send Bruseles to the canvas with a left-right combination to the head.

The Puerto Rican Bruseles (21-3-1, 13 knockouts) got to his feet but Mayweather (33-0, 22 knockouts) was ready with a left to the body, which set up an additional series of unanswered shots to the head. Bruseles again fell to the canvas but again beat the 10-count.

However, Bruseles’ trainer, Evangelista Cotto, stepped into the ring and instructed referee Jorge Alonso to stop the fight.

“I took my time and listened to my corner,” Mayweather said. “I knew I would wear him down.”

The 27-year-old Mayweather, of Grand Rapids, Mich., was effective early with a lead left jab. Bruseles also had no answers for Mayweather’s quick rights and left hooks to the head.

Midway through the bout, when he felt comfortable fighting at close range, Mayweather connected with right uppercuts.

As he chased Mayweather, Bruseles managed to land sporadic rights to the head but not strong enough to change the bout’s course.

“I knew it would be an easy fight,” Mayweather said. “It was a good workout.”

With the victory, Mayweather now sets his sights on the winner of Arturo Gatti’s WBC title defense against James Leija next Saturday. Mayweather is expected to fight the winner of that fight in May.

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Johnny Tapia outpointed Nicky Bentz in a 10-round featherweight bout in Hidalgo, Texas.

Judges scored the match, billed as the “Battle of the Border,” 98-92, 92-97 and 96-93 for Tapia, who is trying for his sixth world title.

Tapia (55-4-1) and Bentz (34-4) were both tentative in the early rounds. Each took short jabs at the other before Tapia began to make his move in the fourth.

Tapia worked the midsection and head as he kept Bentz against the ropes. Bentz countered with a heavy punch, working his way out of trouble each time.

Tapia landed combinations throughout the fight, but Bentz kept coming back with shots to the head.