Andres Campos is back in the world title picture.

Campos dropped Bienvenido Ligas twice en route to a knockout win Saturday night at the Burleigh Bazaar in Burleigh Heads, Australia.

The 26-year-old Campos, who resides in Santiago, Chile, improved to 16-1, 5 knockouts.

From the opening bell, Campos closed the distance between the two, initiating exchanges and putting Ligas on the defensive. Ligas was game, looking to counter Campos on the inside with his own variation of hooks, but began to take several punches that began breaking him down.

Campos began to focus his attack to the body of Ligas in the fourth round. Ligas began fighting in spurts as his punch output dropped. 

The investment of Campos’ work to the body began taking its toll on Ligas. Midway through the seventh round, a combination to the body followed by a barrage of punches to the head dropped Ligas to the canvas. Ligas beat the count, but was dropped again to the canvas near the end of the round, by a left hook to the beltline. Ligas was able to get up, and the bell sounded to end the round.

Campos was on the attack to start round eight. The amount of pressure and relentless work forced Ligas back against the ropes. A barrage of punches dropped Ligas to one knee, where he remained on the canvas as referee Paul Tapley counted him out at 30 seconds.

In his previous fight on June 10, Campos lost by unanimous decision to IBF world flyweight titleholder Sunny Edwards. Campos is managed by Tony Tolj, who also managed Jason and Andrew Moloney.

Ligas, who resides in Caloocan City in the Philippines, falls to 15-4-2, 9 KOs. In his previous fight on March 30, Ligas defeated Genesis Libranza by unanimous decision.

The 25-year-old has lost three of his last four bouts.

Also on the card promoted by Wes Newman, light heavyweight Matt Floyd of Perth, Australia improved to 6-0, 3 KOs by defeating New Zealand’s Tangiariki Mauri (3-3, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision over right rounds.

In cruiserweight action, fringe contender Mose Auimatagi, Jr. (16-3-2, 11 KOs) of Kingscliff, Australia knocked out Mike Letoi (2-2-1, 2 KOs) of New Zealand in the first round. 

Auimatagi is also managed by Tony Tolj. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing