MGM Grand, Las Vegas - In a junior welterweight fight, Elvis Rodriguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) bounced back with a one-punch knockout of unbeaten Juan Pablo Romero (14-1, 9 KOs) in the fifth round. (photos by Ryan Hafey)

Rodriguez last fought in May, when he suffered his first career defeat by way of an eight round majority decision to Kenneth Simms.

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An even first round, with Romero pressing the action at times and making Rodriguez go back. They were trading heavy blows in the second. Romero was taking the fight to Rodriguez, who was happy to engage in a brawl. Romero was landing the more eye-catching punches, but Romero applying a lot of pressure and pushing the action. The third was close, as they were doing a lot of fighting on the inside.

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Romero seemed to get stung in the fourth when a few uppercuts and body shots connected. And then a straight left hand rocked Romero bad and he eventually went down. He got up in serious trouble, but managed to survive. In the fifth, Rodriguez came out more active with his power shots and was looking to break Romero down further. Romero continued to fire and took few steps back. But near the end of the round a big left hand sent Romero down again, this time for the full count.

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