Photos: Mario Barrios Beats Down, Stops Jovanie Santiago in Eight

San Antonio, Texas – In a crossroads welterweight clash, Mario Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) broke down and stopped Jovanie Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) in the eighth round. (photos by Amanda Westcott)

Barrios was pressing and coming forward in the first two rounds, being aggressive and targeting both the head and body. In the third, Barrios was unloading with hard punches and bloodied up his face.

Santiago was standing his ground more often in the fourth, but the harder punches were landing for Barrios. Santiago was also holding often at times to prevent Barrios from gaining too much momentum. In the fifth, Barrios was picking him off with the jab. 

Barrios was battering Santiago with heavy punches during the sixth round. There wasn’t much coming from Santiago, who was taking shots to the head and body. The face of Santiago was swelling up. In the seventh, a big right hand staggered Santiago. He found himself in trouble, but weathered the storm.

The eight began with Barrios staggering Santiago and sending him down from a hard body shot. He made it up, but continued to take punishment until Santiago’s corner threw in the towel.