Nate Campbell improved to 31-5-1 with 25 KOs with an exciting sixth-round stoppage of Wilson Alcorro, 35-8-3 with 23 KOs on Friday night at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL. Campbell rushed out of his corner at the opening bell, firing right hands followed by a fierce body attack.  Alcorro, who received a warning for throwing low blows in the second, unleashed a barrage of punches in the third round that kept Campbell on the ropes. After blocking or dodging the majority of Alcoro's wild punches, Campbell regained control and finished the round by landing double left hooks to the body and head.

By the fifth round Campbell was landing at will with consistent hooks to the body and right hands upstairs.  Alcorro's best shot of the round was a low blow that cost him a point deduction on the scorecards.  In the sixth, Campbell countered a wild overhand left with two short right hooks to Alcorro's chin, ending the action.

 

With the win, Campbell maintained his position as the IBF's mandatory lightweight contender for the title held by Julio Diaz. Campbell, 35, hopes to become a champion before the end of the year, having already failed against Robbie Peden.  He may get his opportunity this fall as the IBF rules require that Diaz make a mandatory defense against Campbell by November.

In the co-main event, former Venezuelan gym mates Fernando Angulo and Patrick Lopez entertained the crowd with a ten round junior welterweight slugfest.  In the opening stanza Lopez, a two-time Olympian, looked confident while beating Angulo to the punch and landing clean punches.

However Angulo was able to crack Lopez's defense with a body attack that paid big dividends in the middle rounds.  In the fifth, a stoppage seemed likely as Angulo battered a weary Lopez in the middle of the ring.  Although overwhelming his opponent, Angulo wound up smothering his own punches as he pressed forward. Lopez fought bravely, and held off Angulo, but lost to the recent WBA lightweight title challenger by scores of 96-94 (twice) and 97-93.  Angulo improves to 19-4 with 12 KOs, while the previously undefeated Lopez drops to 11-1 with 9 KOs.

 

In other action, heavyweight Davarryl Williamson remained a fringe contender and moved to 24-4 with 20 KOs by stopping Maurice Wheeler in the third round. Wheeler,  10-10-1 with 1 KO is on a six-fight losing streak.

 

Ashandi Gibbs W4 Eric Clinton, Midlleweights

Manny Cortessis TKO Raymond Brindle, Jr Middleweights

Willie Chisolm TKO2 Brian Rollins, Cruiserweights

Joshua Cordero TKO1 Marcus Broadnax, Jr Welterweights