Stevenson stops Fonfara in 2nd round

MONTREAL, QC – JUNE 03: Adonis Stevenson (left) lands a punch against Andrzej Fonfara during the WBC light heavyweight world championship match at the Bell Centre on June 3, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Adonis Stevenson defeated Andrzej Fonfara in the second round by way of technical knockout. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images/AFP

Canadian champion Adonis Stevenson stopped challenger Andrzej Fonfara 28 seconds into the second round to retain his World Boxing Council title on Saturday.

The 39-year-old easily won the rematch between the two light heavyweights as the Polish-born Fonfara barely survived the opening round at the Bell Centre Arena in Montreal.

Fonfara’s trainer Virgil Hunter stepped in and stopped the fight saying his boxer was taking too much punishment.

It was a rematch of their action-packed meeting in 2014, when Fonfara sent Stevenson to the canvas but was knocked down twice himself as Stevenson won by scores of 115-110, 115-110 and 116-109.

On Saturday Fonfara was the first to hit the canvas in the opening round.

Stevenson hurt him with a hard left to the temple which was followed quickly by the knockdown. Later in the round, a helpless Fonfara had to be saved by the bell after Stevenson trapped him in the corner and was landing punches at will. 

The 39-year-old champion now boasts a record of 29-1.

Fonfara, 29, who falls to 29-5 with 17 knockouts, was seeking a first world title.

Stevenson is now thinking about unifying the division, saying he wants the winner of the upcoming bout between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward.