LAS VEGAS – Javier Martinez continues his winning ways, this time with an emphatic ending.

The Milwaukee-bred middleweight made quick work of Billy Wagner, scoring a 1st round stoppage in their ESPN+ televised preliminary Saturday evening at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Martinez (3-0, 1KO) scored an official knockdown, before pummeling Wagner (3-2, 1KO) along the ropes in forcing referee Michael Ortega to stop the contest.

The writing was on the wall from the opening bell, as Wagner circled to his left and fearful of letting loose his right hand. Martinez fought aggressive out of the southpaw stance, connecting with right hooks over Wagner’s guard, driving him into the ropes with a three-punch combination. Wagner was unable to defend himself, though spared a knockout ending as it was ruled that the ropes prevented his fall.

An ensuing right hook and left hand snapped back the head of Wagner, prompting an immediate stoppage.

Omar Rosario remains perfect as a pro and with visions of capturing Olympic Gold later this year.

The unbeaten rookie from Caguas, Puerto Rico picked up his first knockout as a pro, halting Anaheim’s Uriel Villanueva inside of two rounds in their junior welterweight bout.

Rosario—who will represent Puerto Rico in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics later this summer—scored two knockdowns, the second of which put Villanueva down for the full ten count at 2:38 of round two.

Rosario consistently beat Villanueva to the jab, often following with a right hand over the top of his opponent’s guard. Villianueva enjoyed brief success with his left hook, only to leave himself open for a body attack from Rosario. The 23-year old landed a right hand to the body to produce the bout’s first knockdown.

Villanueva beat the count, only to get clipped with a right uppercut downstairs which put him down for the night as he falls to 1-1 (0KOs).

Rosario advances to 3-0 (1KOs). The amateur standout opted to turn pro last summer, while still intent on representing Puerto Rico with hopes of bringing home Olympic Gold.

Both bouts served as part of a seven-fight card, topped by WBC junior lightweight titlist Miguel Berchelt versus former featherweight beltholder Oscar Valdez (28-0, 22KOs).  

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox