Miguel Berchelt batters Miguel Roman to defend WBC title with ninth-round stoppage

El Paso, Texas - WBC super featherweight champion Miguel Berchelt (35-1, 31 KO's) got tested early and was buckled by a hard right hand in the second round, but went on to batter and dropped mandatory challenger Miguel Roman (60-12, 47 KO's) three times en route to a ninth-round TKO Saturday before 5,420 at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

In a fun opening round, Berchelt, a formidable boxer-puncher, was using his jab to set up solid combinations, while Roman was using his one gear to the best of his ability -- stalking.

Roman buckled Berchelt in the second with a big overhand right. However, the champion rallied in the final minute with vicious left hooks to the body and hard right hands upstairs.

In the third, Roman was forced to hold on after getting clipped with a big left hand. Berchelt poured everything but the kitchen sink, but the heart of Roman would not be denied.

Roman landed the more effective punches in the fourth and hurt Berchelt to the body in the fifth. However, the momentum did not last.

Berchelt dropped Roman with a thunderous right hand in the sixth. Roman beat the count, but Berchelt dropped him again with another hard combination. Roman survived the round, but the writing was on the wall.

Berchelt continued to lunge forward as he looked to end the fight in the seventh. Roman continued to hold his ground, but was cut over his left eye in the eighth.

Berchelt was going for the kill in the seventh round. Roman was doing his best to survive and fight him off. Roman was doing very well at the start of the eight with hard combinations. It didn't take long before Berchelt fought back and had Roman in some trouble once again. Roman was cut over his left eye during the onslaught.

Roman had a strong start to the ninth round and had Berchelt retreating to the ropes -- but Berchelt went on the attack and started to land on Roman at will and eventually sent him to the canvas for the third time in the fight. Out on his feet and looking rather woozy, Roman stood against the ropes as Berchelt tattooed him with another combination. Referee Jon Schorle finally stepped in to stop the fight.

It was an entertaining fight between two Mexicans who love to come forward and rumble. You can't go wrong with that.