Breland Easily Outpoints Rondon in Non-Title Fight on Sardinia
SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA, Sardinia — Mark Breland, the World Boxing Assn. welterweight champion, outpointed Venezuelan Juan Rondon in a 10-round non-title bout early today.
From the start, the unbeaten Breland, from Brooklyn, pounded Rondon with his powerful left hand, showing no ill effects of a March operation on a tendon in his hand.
Breland knocked down his outclassed opponent late in the third round with a devastating right to the mid-section, but Rondon (19-4) quickly recovered and fought defensively for the rest of the bout.
Breland, who entered his first fight overseas with a record of 17 wins, 12 by knockouts, said his objective was to “keep a steady pace. I feel good. I think my condition is improving.â€
Breland said before the match that he is interested in unifying the WBA and World Boxing Council welterweight titles by fighting WBC champion Lloyd Honeyghan of Britain.
Breland, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, is scheduled to defend his WBA title, probably against Marlon Starling, Aug. 22 at Columbia, S.C.
More than 1,000 people watched the fight in a gymnasium at Forte Village, a recreation center, in this town 24 miles north of the Sardinian capital of Cagliari.
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