Redemption was earned in the West Palm Beach Convention Center, in West Palm Beach Florida. Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (27-1, 25 KOs) pounded his way to a fifth round stoppage over Mark “Poison” Suarez (25-3, 13 KOs) to capture the vacant IBF welterweight title that was vacated by Floyd Mayweather, jr. a few months ago.
The fight was built up as power punching war that would never see the final bell, and it delivered as both men were throwing bombs in the first round. Suarez, riding a seven fight win streak that saw him stop all seven, including two undefeated prospects in his last two outings, was game, but could not match the speed or skill of Cintron.
Now under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward, current trainer of champions Jermain Taylor and Wladimir Klitschko, Cintron showcased patience, defense and combinations. Three qualities that were missing when Antonio Margarito stopped him in five rounds last April.
After a few rounds of both fighters landing their signature power punches, Cintron began to open up in the fifth round with combinations that had Suarez on unsteady legs. Sensing he was in trouble, Suarez took a knee to give himself some time to rest, but it was not enough as Cintron jumped on him with power punches as soon as Suarez made it to his feet at the count of nine.
The fight was built up as power punching war that would never see the final bell, and it delivered as both men were throwing bombs in the first round. Suarez, riding a seven fight win streak that saw him stop all seven, including two undefeated prospects in his last two outings, was game, but could not match the speed or skill of Cintron.
Now under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward, current trainer of champions Jermain Taylor and Wladimir Klitschko, Cintron showcased patience, defense and combinations. Three qualities that were missing when Antonio Margarito stopped him in five rounds last April.
After a few rounds of both fighters landing their signature power punches, Cintron began to open up in the fifth round with combinations that had Suarez on unsteady legs. Sensing he was in trouble, Suarez took a knee to give himself some time to rest, but it was not enough as Cintron jumped on him with power punches as soon as Suarez made it to his feet at the count of nine.
