Danielito Zorrilla passed what was supposed to be his toughest test to date very impressively Tuesday night in Hollywood, Florida.

Following a competitive first round, the Puerto Rican prospect knocked out Mexican veteran Pablo Cesar Cano in the second round of their junior welterweight fight at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Zorrilla (16-0, 12 KOs) caught Cano with a left hook to the body and then a hard right hand to his head that made Cano take a knee 23 seconds into the second round.

Cano (33-8-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC) popped to his feet quickly after taking a knee, but he soon went down again. He couldn’t answer referee Frank Gentile’s count in time after he took a second knee.

“Listen, I’m not playing around,” Zorrilla said, according to his translator. “To me, it’s all about being a champ. So, whoever wants to step up, I’m here. I’m in this to win the championships.”

Their scheduled 10-rounder, the main event of TrillerVerz II, ended 35 seconds into the second round.

Cano, 31, lost inside the distance for the third time in his 15-year pro career. The 27-year-old Zorrilla, who is promoted by Miguel Cotto’s company, has won five of his past six bouts by knockout or technical knockout.

“Let this be clear to everyone,” Zorrilla said. “This is a statement. This victory is me saying out there, ‘We’re going for everything.’ I am going to be the next big champ and this demonstrates that I’m on the road for it, I’m gonna continue fighting strong for you.”

Zorrilla and Cano were supposed to fight August 14. Their fight was postponed for one month because Cano had visa issues that prohibited him from entering the United States.

Before the fight ended early in the second round, Zorrilla connected with a left uppercut with just over a minute remaining in the first round. Cano came back with a left hook that moved Zorrilla backward.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.