Javier Fortuna stopped Ivan Carlos Velasquez in Las Vegas on Tuesday night (Photo: Instagram)

By Chris Robinson

On Tuesday night, Sep. 29, WBA junior lightweight champion Javier Fortuna stopped a brave but outgunned Carlos Ivan Velasquez in under ten rounds inside of the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nev.

Fortuna (29-0-1, 21 KO’s) dropped and bloodied Velasquez (19-2, 12 KO’s) in the second and appeared to be on his way towards a stoppage victory but his Puerto Rican foe fought on valiantly.

Despite Velasquez attempting to turn the tide of the match, Fortuna was simply too elusive throughout the contest. The end came at 35 seconds into the tenth round, as referee Russell Mora waved off the action as Fortuna was beginning to hammer Velasquez around the ring.

The 26-year old champion is riding a great high and spoke of his performance afterwards.

“I was just waiting to counter punch Velasquez,” he explained. “The rhythm of the fight was important. I was in control of the fight because I could control the rhythm.”

Fortuna claims to have injured his left hand shortly after registering his only knockdown in the match.

“I knew I got him with a good shot when I knocked him down,” Fortuna explained. “I hurt my left hand after that but it was just a matter of time until I got him again. I didn’t throw my left too much after that. I saw his shots coming. I would have taken advantage earlier but I hurt my hand. If I hadn’t hurt my hand, he wouldn’t have lasted five rounds.”

Stay tuned for more post-fight updates from Las Vegas.

Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com