Jono Carroll claims sensational stoppage win on ‘Frampton Reborn’
Jono Carroll put all the drama behind him and put on a sensational performance tonight in Belfast.
The Dunshaughlin super feather opened the BT Sport-broadcast portion of the ‘Frampton Reborn’ undercard and scored a hugely impressive win to claim the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title.
Carroll had been initially due to defend his IBF East/West Europe title in a rematch with domestic rival Deco Geraghty, but a hand injury to the inner-city Dub saw this fight scrapped.
After numerous fighters turned the opportunity down, Mexican Humberto De Santiago eventually stepped in, and was promptly blasted out within three rounds by an on-form Carroll.
Carroll began sharply, paying particular attention to the body in the opening stanza.
These efforts looked to be having an effect, with Carroll staggering De Santiago twice early in the second before a break to allow the Mexican to recover from a low blow.
Once the action resumed, the Finglas-born fighter forced Santiago to the ropes for some close quarters combat, with Carroll landing lots but finding himself cut from a clash of heads.
Carroll kept up the pressure into the third, teeing off on De Santiago at will. Again a low shot led to a break for the Latino, but Carroll was not letting him off the hook and bullied the visitor to the ropes and unloading, leaving De Satiago an entangled and defenceless mess, forcing the bout to be waved off.
The win sees Carroll improve his professional record to 15(2)-0 and pick up a belt which should see him enter the IBF Top 15 at 130lbs. The ambushed De Santiago drops to 15(11)-5(1)-1.
