Steve “So Cold” Nelson continued his rise as a light heavyweight prospect to watch, posting an 8th round stoppage over Victor Darocha.
An accumulation of punches following the bout’s lone knockdown prompted the one-sided contest to be halted at 2:42 of round eight. Terence Crawford was next to the ring, helping his teammate Nelson.
The Omaha (Nebraska) native was all business in his ring walk and from bell to bell, dishing out a steady beating on Darocha, a Brazilian journeyman based in Miami (Florida).
Nelson had his foe hurt in round three, scoring with right hands. It was his left hook which ultimately caused the most damage, as evidenced by the swelling under Darocha’s right eye.
Ringside of Steve Nelson's big-time uppercut and knockdown of Victor Darocha 😤😤😤#ItoHerring pic.twitter.com/HHN80rnx8I
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 25, 2019
Darocha tried to change things up in rounds five and six, flipping between southpaw and conventional stance but with no real effect. Nelson (14-0, 9KOs) continued to grind, throwing every punch with knockout intentions.
The hard work paid off, dropping Darocha late in round eight with a vicious uppercut and straight right. Doracha beat the count, but was left defenseless and blood streaming across the bridge of his nose as Nelson sought to close the show. It would come moments later, with Darocha rescued by the referee in suffering the first stoppage loss of his career.
