Watch: Castro stops Mendoza with vicious uppercut

Thankfully Mendoza is fine as he embraces Castro and raises his hand in a fine show of sportsmanship.

Here’s that vicious knockout….

Castro knocks out Mendoza

Thankfully Mendoza has now been helped onto a stool after that ferocious knockout blow.

It was beautifully worked by Castro, who slipped the jab with ease before stepping inside and detonating that rocking right uppercut that landed flush on the chin.

Mendoza simply never saw it coming. What a knockout.

Castro moves to 8-0 with six stoppages. A huge talent.

Castro vs Mendoza

More punishing work from Castro, with Mendoza constantly complaining – wrongly – that he’s being hit on the back of the head.

Mendoza looks a beaten man here as he tries to come forward but keeps getting picked off with superb counter work and combinations from range.

CASTRO ENDS THE FIGHT BY SLIPPING IN A SUPERB UPPERCUT THAT KNOCKS MENDOZA OUT COLD! WOW – WHAT A SHOT!

Castro vs Mendoza

Castro is warned by referee Tony Weeks for a shot on top of the head early in the fourth.

Mendoza is still coming forward and trying to set up attacks to the body, but Castro continues to use that range well to punish him from middle distance.

Castro explodes at the end of the round, letting his hands go and unleashing a massive overhand right that rocks Mendoza!

His legs are very wobbly as he staggers back but he’s saved by the bell.

He’ll need to recover very quickly. Castro will be sensing blood at the start of the fifth.

Castro vs Mendoza

Castro continues to judge the distance well in the third.

But he’s leaning into a lot of these shots and Mendoza’s corner are clearly telling their man to take advantage by planting an uppercut where possible.

Probably easier said than done!

Castro vs Mendoza

A quieter second round, with Mendoza trying to force his way inside but the rangy Castro doing a good job of measuring the distance and unfurling shots from longe range to keep the Mexican at bay.

Castro comfortable through two.

Castro vs Mendoza

Strong early work from Castro, who fires a cracking right hand over the top and follows it up during a promising start in those glittering purple, silver and blue shorts prominently bearing the name of his hometown of Fresno, California.

Castro is jabbing like a dream in this opener, also piecing together some decent combinations from the jump.

Mendoza – with bright trunks in the red and green of Mexico – is trying to go to the body early and is having some success, but the first of eight rounds undoubtedly belongs to Castro.

Castro vs Mendoza next

No time to dwell on that controversial result as we swiftly move onto our third fight on the early prelim schedule.

Undefeated former amateur world champion Marc Castro, a very familiar figure on Canelo undercards, takes on Mexican Kevin Mendoza in a lightweight contest.

Aponte vs Molina called split-decision draw

76-74 for Molina, 76-74 for Aponte, 75-75 even – it’s a split-decision draw!

Some boos from those at ringside.

That feels somewhat harsh on the Mexican.

Aponte has gotten away with one there, his 100 per cent record is gone but he remains unbeaten.

Will we see a swift rematch? I for one would love to see it again.

Aponte vs Molina

Molina’s team clearly believe they’ve won, with the Mexican in celebratory mood and saluting the sparse crowd as he’s hoisted onto his trainer’s shoulders.

A more downbeat scene in Aponte’s corner as we await the official scorecards after a very entertaining eight-round bout between two unbeaten super-lightweights goes the distance.

Here comes Mr Diamante…