By Jake Donovan

Errol Spence moved within one more win of his first career title shot after scoring a 5th round knockout of Alejandro Barrera in their welterweight eliminator Saturday afternoon in Dallas, Texas. 

The Premier Boxing Champions  (PBC) on NBC co-feature attraction saw a one-sided, though not flawless performance delivered by the unbeaten welterweight contender from nearby Desoto. Spence was able to score with power shots upstairs, though also showed he can take a punch as Barrera responded on several occasions with uppercuts and right hands. 

The temptation was to accelerate but Spence was instructed by head trainer Derrick James to remain composed and let the knockout opportunity present itself. That very sequence played out early in round five. Spence dug in with body shots, forcing Barrera to take a knee roughly one minute into the round.

The visiting challenger from Mexico was able to beat the count, but couldn't find a way to punch his way back into the fight or keep Spence at bay. Not even his being armed by legendary cornerman Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain could save from what was to follow, as Spence sought to close the show.

A left hand shot snapped back the head of Barrera, who appeared to be all but done. Referee Laurence Cole didn't seem to agree, allowing three more clean shots to get through before Barrera collapsed to the canvas. The second knockdown of the bout was waived off without a count, with the official time of the stoppage coming at 1:46 of round five. 

Spence cruises to 19-0 (16KOs), picking up his sixth straight knockout win. Furthermore, it propelled him one step closer to title contention, as the bout was an eliminator for the #2 slot in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight rankings. A win in his next fight will put him in line for a crack at reigning titlist and fellow unbeaten welterweight Kell Brook.  

UNDERCARD

Red-hot super welterweight prospect Erickson Lubin made quick work of Alexis Camacho, scoring two knockdowns en route to 2nd round knockout in the opening bout of the telecast. 

At just 20 years of age and with only 12 pro fights in the bank prior to the opening bell, every fight represents a step up in class for the unbeaten southpaw from Orlando, Florida. That aside, Lubin continues to tear through his competition at an alarming rate. 

Saturday's bout was no exception, with Lubin going on the attack from the opening bell. Camacho (21-5, 19KOs) had only been stopped twice in a career spent largely in Mexico, but was no match in this contest. Lubin put Camacho on the canvas in the opening round, a though choosing to offer a measured attack as he didn't want to rush in search of a knockout opportunity.

That moment would come early in round two. Lubin missed with a left hand, but remained within punching range to finish Camacho (21-6, 19KOs). A right hook put his foe down on the canvas, prompting a full ten count.

The official time was 0:42 of round two. 

Lubin improves to 13-0 (10KOs) with the win, his fifth of 2015. The feat comes just two days after celebrating his two-year anniversary in the pro ranks.

With plenty of time to kill on the broadcast, super lightweights Eddie Ramirez and Bilal Mahasin gained unexpected airtime. The result was a competitive eight-round affair, with Ramirez claiming a unanimous decision to preserve his unbeaten mark.

The difference on the scorecards - 77-75 (twice) and 78-74 - came down to Ramirez landed more and at a more efficient workrate. Mahasin (7-1-1, 1KO) proved tough as nails, walking through his opponent's power and continuing to come forward, but unable to surge ahead. 

Ramirez - who is also a full-time barber in his hometown of Aurora, Illinois - improves to 12-0 (9KOs), coming up big in just his second career fight outside of the Midwest region where he is based.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox