Juan Diaz v Acelino ‘Popo’ Freitas

Juan Diaz stopped Acelino ‘Popo’ Freitas in the eighth round to unify WBO and WBA lightweight titles on Saturday night.

Freitas quit in the same ring when he was knocked down three times before waving his hand in the 10th round against Diego Corrales in 2004.

Freitas wasn’t ko’d this time, but he did take punishment from Diaz in a one-sided eighth round.

Diaz took over against a tired Freitas in the eighth after a close encounter in the seven rounds previous.

Diaz (32-0, 16 KOs) surprised Freitas (38-2) with a left and follow-up right, and he kept up the attack, pinning Freitas to the ropes and firing at Freitas.

Freitas didn’t seem hurt at the end of the round, but moments later referee Michael Ortega walked over to Diaz’s corner and raised the fighter’s hand as Freitas remained on his stool.

“He’s a tough guy. I give him credit,” said Diaz.

“He never hurt me at all. He hit me with some clean punches, but I was never seriously hurt. He may have pushed me back, but I jumped right back on him.”

“My corner kept telling me to use my jab because it was effective, but my inner Mexican kept coming out.”