Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Rolly Lunas was game but couldn?t withstand power-punching super bantamweight Chris Avalos and suffered a 3rd round TKO at the AVI Resort and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, Sunday, Manila Time.
Avalos, a Mexican-American who was coming off a dominating ten round unanimous decision win over another Filipino, world-rated Drian Francisco last July 12, had too much skill and power for Lunas, who moved up in weight to face the talented American.
At the official weigh-in Lunas came in 1 ? pounds below the super bantamweight limit while Avalos tipped the scales at 122.
Lunas who was based in Japan for many years and took the name Rolly Matsushita has moved to San Diego, California.
With the loss the 30 year old Lunas dropped to 34-9-1 with 20 knockouts while the 24 year old Avalos, nicknamed ?The Hitman? improved to 23-2 with 17 knockouts.
Boxingscene.om reported that Avalos dominated Lunas over three rounds and ?dished out punishment from the opening bell.?
The report said Avalos landed heavy shots with both hands but Lunas gamely fought on until Avalos landed a one-two combination that sent Lunas crashing to the canvas.
Lunas beat the count but was clearly in no position to continue and referee Kenny Bayless called a halt.
Lunas first won the OPBF title with a 10th round technical decision over former OPBF bantamweight and world flyweight champion Malcom Tunacao on January 13, 2007 and had five successful title defenses.
However, he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Anselmo Moreno in a WBA world bantamweight title fight on October 30, 2008.
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