Angel “Tashiro” Fierro (21-1-2) halted Eduardo “La Pesadilla” Estela (14-2) in round seven of the 10-round main event of Matchroom's latest Mexico card on Saturday.
Both men went for a fireworks finish from the opening bell, and after a lively opening round Fierro had Estela on the ropes in trouble in the second.
Fierro scored a knockdown in round four, but Estela fought back by necessity in the fifth as he strived to find a way back.
However round seven was the end for the Uruguayan, as the Mexican-American landed the bout-winning flurry to remain WBO-NABO lightweight champion.
Also on the card was an early contender for KO of 2023, as Eduardo Nunez dropped Jesus Martin Ceyca with a jarring jackpot right hand in the second round of a scheduled 10 at super-featherweight.
Ceyca was out cold, but eventually recovered enough to regroup in his corner after the loss.