Dublin boxer Bernard Dunne won his featherweight bout against Panamanian Evangelino Perez on a points decision at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California last night.
The 24-year-old, who is based in Santa Monica, California, was a deserving winner in the six-round fight. Dunne struck early, landing two impressive body shots in the first round to force Perez onto the ropes.
The right eye of Perez began to swell in the second and a brace of hard jabs from Dunne had the South American shuddering in the third.
Dunne worked his left cross as the fourth came to an end, and with Perez dropping his defence, the Irishman drew blood from his opponents nose with a square-on shot at the bell.
Capitalising on his dominance in the fight Dunne went for the knockout in the final round, trying to add to his eight previous stoppages.
Perez, a veteran of the ring for the last 13 years, who fought Jose Bonilla for the WBA flyweight title in 1997, was reduced to holding in the final minutes as Dunne was awarded a unanimous decision by the judges.
Manager Brian Peters wants Dunne to be challenging for State side titles, NABF and NABO championships, by the year's end.
"This was another solid performance from Bernard, and the start of what will be a big year for him," said Peters. "It's about the right fights at the right time now and we won't be rushed into anything."
"He should be in a position hopefully at the end of the year to fight for an American belt, and then move on to fight for a European title, ideally in Dublin."