By Doug Fischer

Junior lightweight contender Urbano Antillon extended his undefeated record to 22-0 (15) with a first-round stoppage of Bobby Pacquiao in the co-feature of a Versus-televised card from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Thursday night.

After a competitive opening 2 minutes of the round, Antillon landed a series of compact lead rights that backed Pacquiao to the ropes where the younger brother of Manny Pacquiao absorbed a left uppercut followed by a left hook to the liver that took the wind out of his sails. The speedy southpaw dropped to his knees where he was counted out by referee Joe Cortez 2 minutes and 49 seconds into the round.

Pacquiao, whose record dropped to 28-14-3 (8), was arguably the most experienced and difficult opponent of Antillon's career, but the Maywood, California resident continues to improve and exceed expectations.

"He's come into his own," said Antillon's trainer Rudy Hernandez. "He's more composed in the ring now and he listens more in the gym. When it comes to the fight, he just goes out and executes.

"His confidence is at a peak now and I'd like to see him go for a world title or at least a title-elimination bout in his next fight."

Antillon is ranked no. 2 in the WBC's 130-pound rankings. The outcome of Saturday's WBC title match between Juan Manuel Marquez and Pacquiao will determine if Antillon advances to the no. 1 spot based on Thursday's win.

In the co-featured bout of the Top Rank-promoted show, 6-foot-9 275-pound heavyweight hopeful Tye Fields improved his record to 41-1 (37) with a first round blowout of late-sub Roderick Willis, who threw a few hard right hooks at his lumbering but hard-charging foe before allowing himself to be cornered and pummeled until the referee called a halt to the bout. Willis drops to 14-3-1 (8) with Thursday's non-effort.