Parra traps Pierce on the ropes and finishes him in round two to seize the WBO Featherweight International belt
Lorenzo Parra (24-1-1, 18 KOs) knocked out Elijah Pierce (21-2, 17 KOs) in the second round to win the WBO Featherweight International title Saturday night at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. After forcing Pierce onto the ropes with steady pressure and sharp punch selection, Parra closed the show with a barrage that left the referee no choice but to stop it.
Parra established control early by stepping in behind a firm jab and cutting off the ring. Pierce tried to give ground and counter, but he spent too much time backing straight up. Parra kept his feet set, worked his way inside, and made Pierce fight off the ropes.
In the second round, Parra shortened the distance and pinned Pierce in the corner. He ripped hooks and straight rights in tight, finishing with heavy shots upstairs that froze Pierce in place for a standing knockout. The referee jumped in as Pierce sagged along the ropes.
“I knew I was going to get a knockout. It was an easy fight for me. Pierce was ranked No. 2 in the WBO so hopefully next I get Rafael Espinoza because I should be ranked pretty high. If I’m lucky enough to get that fight, we’re going to put together the right strategy to make sure I leave victorious. I’m going to become a world champion. That’s what I’ve been working for.”
The result shifts the WBO featherweight picture. Parra used effective aggression, tight combinations, and disciplined foot positioning to break Pierce down. He did not smother his work. He set his feet and let the combinations rip from the floor up.
Bryce Mills Stops Tobias Green for WBC USA Belt
Bryce Mills (21-1, 8 KOs) stopped Tobias Green (12-4-1, 4 KOs) in the fourth round to win the WBC USA Super Lightweight title.
Mills pressed behind his jab and forced Green into exchanges he could not win. He mixed body shots with straight rights and kept Green near the ropes, where his workrate began to tell. By the fourth, Green was absorbing clean combinations without return fire, prompting the stoppage.
“I give huge credit to my team. This is all a team effort. I was prepared for any outcome and possibility. We were ready to go the distance. No doubt I want the biggest and best fights. Emiliano Vargas, I know you’re going to see this. Let’s get it done.”
Mills showed improved inside work, keeping his elbows tight and punching between Green’s guard. His conditioning allowed him to keep the pace high through four rounds.
Curmel Moton Remains Unbeaten
Curmel Moton moved to 9-0 (7 KOs) when Wilfredo Flores (12-7-1, 5 KOs) did not continue after the second round.
Moton boxed with maturity, stepping in behind the jab and driving Flores into the corner. Once there, he let combinations go in tight spaces, alternating head and body. Flores had no room to pivot out and absorbed sustained punishment before his corner halted it.
“I’m in the gym working hard. I’ll be back in there on Monday. I want to say thank you to everyone — all the supporters out there. Floyd (Mayweather) has a couple of fights coming up this year. I’m going to get in the gym and stay ready in case I get that call. No pressure. There is no pressure on me. At the end of the day, I’ve been doing this my whole life, and I get to show out and give the fans what they want to see.”
At 19, Moton already understands range and timing. He does not waste punches. He works behind his jab and finishes with authority when he has a man pinned.
Undercard Notes
Rodrigo Mosquera III (5-0, 2 KOs) scored two knockdowns and won a four-round unanimous decision over Khalil Sanders (1-2, 1 KO) in a lightweight bout. Mosquera countered sharply and kept his balance after every exchange, dropping Sanders with clean shots while maintaining range control.
Brandon Poulard (3-0, 3 KOs) stopped Charles Scott Jr. (0-4) in the first round, extending his run of early knockouts. Poulard stepped in with heavy straight punches and closed quickly once Scott covered up.
Shera Mae Patricio (8-0, 3 KOs) outpointed Maribel Ramirez (15-14-4, 3 KOs) over six rounds to win the NABF Super Flyweight title. Patricio relied on foot speed and quick combinations, circling off the ropes and keeping Ramirez turning. Her jab set the distance, and her straight right kept Ramirez honest across all six rounds.
The card produced a clear message at the top. Parra did not box cautiously. He imposed himself, forced Pierce into retreat, and finished when the opening appeared. That is how titles are taken.