Brandon Rios Stops Acosta in 10th Round to Capture Lightweight Crown

Mexican-American Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios bagged the biggest victory of his boxing career by stopping Miguel Acosta of Venezuela Saturday in the 10th round of their title fight at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With his knockout victory, Rios snatched the WBA lightweight title from Acosta and remained undefeated in his professional boxing career.

In the first two rounds, Rios tried to dominate Acosta with his aggressive attack as the Venezuelan champion tried to run around and box from the outside.

After two rounds, it appeared Rios was dominating Acosta and was obviously ahead at the end of the second round.

However, on the third and fourth rounds, Acosta started penetrating Rios' poor defenses and started scoring at will and at times staggering Rios. Acosta was clearly recovering as he dominated Rounds 3 and 4.

In the fifth round, Rios delivered all that he had by coming in almost recklessly, which caught Acosta by surprise as Rios continues throwing punches and finding their targets.

The fifth round was a turning point for Rios as Acosta was clearly beginning to fade. In the sixth round, Rios scored a knockdown with a massive right hand, which sent Acosta to the canvas.

After scoring a knockdown, Rios continued his assault on the fading Acosta and on the eighth round, Rios scored another knockdown. Acosta was seen retreating on the ninth round, and on the tenth, Rios scored his third knockdown and a referee stopped the fight.

Rios remains undefeated in his 27 professional fights, with only one draw in 2008 against Manuel Perez in a fight held in Colorado.

Rios is trained by former boxer Robert Garcia, who also trains bantamweight king Nonito Donaire.

With his win and a new major title on his credential, Rios can look forward to major fights, including possible matches with Humberto Soto and Juan Manuel Marquez, who are both lightweights.