Peter Quillin decided to abandon boxing on the outside against Alfredo Angulo early into their fight Saturday night.
The decision proved costly, as Angulo battered Quillin enough to earn a split decision (97-93 and 96-94 Angulo, 96-94 Quillin) in an all-action, nationally televised fight at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, Calif.
Angulo unleashed a massive right hook that blasted Quillin across the jaw in the fourth round. "Kid Chocolate" was on wobbly, unsteady legs for the rest of the bout.
He stunned Quillin again in an action-heavy sixth round, and the two traded more damaging blows across the seventh, with Angulo getting the better of the fireworks.
Somehow, Quillin managed to absorb the heavy shots, remain on his feet and even fight his way back into the later rounds.
The damage was already done by that point, however. Angulo, although slower, was the aggressor and the heavier hitter and rightfully won the fight.
The 37-year-old Angulo (26-7, 21 KOs) and 36-year-old Quillin (34-2-1, 23 KOs) should both strongly consider retiring before having to risk further damage at 168 pounds.
Co-main event: Chris Colbert crushes Miguel Beltran Jr. with first-round KO; lightweights
Colbert put the division on notice by detonating a vicious right hand that caught Beltran on the temple and knocked him out on his feet instantly in the first round.
The Knockout of the Year candidate was so devastating that the referee instantly waved off the fight while Colbert took a knee and prayed for Beltran, who was laid out face-first on the canvas and being tended to by officials.
Brooklyn's Colbert is now 13-0 with five KOs, and he's now on the radar as a possible serious contender.
Thomas Dulorme too much for Terrel Williams in unanimous decision (98-91, 98-91, 96-93); welterweights
Neither fighter backed up an inch in this all-action slugfest, but Dulorme got the better of the exchanges and put the finishing touches on the win with a left hook flush to the face that put Williams on his backside in the 10 round.
Dulorme (25-3-1, 16 KOs) was up on the scorecards before he unleashed that hook, so the knockdown mostly punctuated his victory. Williams (18-1, 13 KOs) suffered his first pro loss.
Jesus Ramos wipes out Rickey Edwards with monstrous third-round KO; junior welterweights
Ramos waved his right hand in a circle before unleashing a vicious left hook that dropped Edwards face-first with a thud for an instant knockout.