Former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner Glen ?Jersey Boy? Tapia has suffered a stunning 4th round TKO to Frenchman Michael Soro in the main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
It was a second setback for a Freddie Roach following eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao?s unanimous twelve round decision defeat at the hands of undefeated pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Tapia who was ranked No. 2 junior middleweight by the WBO and No. 5 by the IBF started strong with some good body shots but Soro quickly settled down and caught Tapia with two uppercuts in round two.
Soro then rocked Tapia with a barrage of punches in round four and as the ?Jersey Boy? staggered backwards, referee David Fields called a halt at 2:10 of the round giving Soro the North American Boxing Organization and the United States Boxing Association junior middleweight titles.
Tapia, a hometown favorite, had wanted his moment on a major television appearance but it didn?t work out as he had expected.
It was his second defeat in 25 outings including 23 wins with 15 knockouts while Soro who was ranked No. 10 by the WBO improved to 26-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Tapia's other loss was against James Kirkland when he lost by a 6th round in December 2013.
Photo: Tapia (R) in action against Dawson in Macau.
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