By Francisco Salazar

Thomas Williams put the light heavyweight division on notice Saturday night, scoring a second round knockout win over Edwin Rodriguez at the Stubhub Center in Carson, Calif.

It was a back-and-forth affair during the brief, but exciting bout. Williams seemed to stun Rodriguez twice in the first round before Rodriguez had his moments midway through the second round.

Williams ended matters near the end of the round, dropping Rodriguez with a left cross to the head. Rodriguez beat the 10-count, but referee Wayne Hedgpeth stopped the bout at 2:59.

Williams, who improved to 20-1, with 14 KOs, foresaw the knockout win.

"I told you what was going to happen," said Williams after the fight. "He was going to be open for everything and he was. I countered him and hurt him with every punch. I could see his punches like it was in slow motion."

The 28-year-old Williams would like a crack at Adonis Stevenson, who has not fought since September 5.

A potential fight could happen between Stevenson and Williams, as they both fight under the PBC banner. Williams is currently not ranked by the WBC at 175 pounds, which Stevenson holds the title.

"I want (a shot at) the title. Absolutely I want to fight Adonis Stevenson next. He's the champ and I want his belt."

Williams has won his last three bouts in a row since his knockout loss to Gabriel Campillo in August of 2014. While Williams does not go into a fight to lose, the loss was a blessing in disguise for him.

"The loss I had helped me. I learned a lot from that loss. I knew I had to be better and I am."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing