DAVAO CITY — Undefeated John Leo Dato knocked out Mexican Antonio Lopez in the fifth round in undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman fight at the MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday (Philippine time).
With his impressive win, the US-based Dato improved his ring record to 12-0-1 with eight knockouts while handing Lopez his sixth defeat in 20 fights.
The 26-year-old Dato, who was born in Bangar, La Union, was one of the Filipino fighters who fought before Pacquiao scored a split decision victory against undefeated Thurman to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title.
Genesis "Cobra" Libranza of Davao City also won by a technical knockout over Carlos "Mighty" Maldonado of Los Angeles in the fourth round.
Libraza improved his record to 19-1 with 11 wins via stoppage.
On the other hand, late-substitute Jayar "Hitman" Inson, also of Davao City, lost by TKO to Sergey "Samurai" Lipinets of Russia. (PNA)
