Dainier Pero flatlines Baker, improves to 2-0

AURORA -- Dainier Pero quickly silenced his loud opponent.

The 2020 Olympian knocked out Benjerman Baker just 19 seconds into their scheduled four-round heavyweight bout at Fieldhouse USA, home of the A1 Boxing Academy, Saturday evening in Colorado.

At Friday's weigh-in, Baker claimed he was going to KO Pero, while the decorated amateur, who defected from Cuba last year, waited for fight night to let his hands do the talking.

Pero (2-0, 2 KOs), who won two gold medals while representing Cuba at the 2016 Youth World Championships and the 2020 Pan American Games, badly hurt Baker just moments into the bout with a sharp left hand that sent Golden, Colorado's Baker wobbling into the ropes. Pero then uncorked an overhand left that sent Baker down in a heap.

The 6′ 5″, 23-year-old Pero made his pro debut last month at the Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he scored a first-round knockout of Deane Williams.

In other action: Orlando Salgado (2-1, 1 KO) returned from a 28-month layoff to score a second-round TKO over Kamare Hampton (0-4).

Renny Mastrapa (1-0, 1 KO) had a successful pro debut with a first-round knockout of Arthur Sacco (0-1).

Jimmie Nunez (3-1, 3 KOs) knocked out Brandon Parker (0-3) with a left hook. The shot dropped Parker to a knee, where he remained for the full 10 count.

In the main event, two amateur fighters put on a fun show. Cody Schicktanz escaped with a three-round split decision win over Brian Orozsco.