How Segun Ajose was battered

Although a much anticipated main event battle between Devon Alexander and Randall Bailey was scrapped due to Bailey's back injury, the co-featured bout of Shobox's telecast at the Hard Rock Hotel provided more than enough fireworks to make up for the loss. Unfortunately, all of the explosions came courtesy of Lucas Matthysse detonating bombs on Olusegun Ajose's chin before finally getting the Nigerian to succumb to the devastation at the 2:59 mark in the 10th round and claim the interim WBC super lightweight title.

If there was ever a more exciting one-sided beat down, we have yet to see it.

The previously unbeaten Ajose -- who fell to 30-1 -- wasted no time proving that he came to fight and wasn't going to back down to the heavy handed Matthysse. However, he regrettably woke up a monster far too early from his slumber as Matthysse put on an epic and brutal power punching display. In the second round, a ruthless series of hooks from the Argentinean plowed with devastating succession into Ajose's face and body. The blows sent Ajose reeling around the ring like a crash test dummy as he attempted to get his bearings. Although it looked like Ajose's night would be cut short, the will of the WBC's #1 contender kept him around much longer. What started as a question of "when" Matthysse would knock Ajose out became a inquiry of "what" exactly was keeping Ajose on his feet as the rounds went by. Round after round Matthysse slammed blows into Ajose's face that would have put a hurting on an automobile. But somehow Ajose remained upright and even had the gall to keep coming forward.

There were several moments where "The Gun" would spring to life and catch Matthysse with combinations. The problem was that "The Gun" wasn't loaded with enough firepower to give the Argentinean reason to not plow forward and Ajose simply ended up being unloaded upon with an unhealthy diet of hooks, straight right hands and body punches. Despite the distinct power advantage, Ajose decided to remain in the pocket in the middle round and attempt to use his offense to slow down Matthysse rather than get on his bicycle. But Matthysse's pacing was impeccable and he never punched himself out heading into the 10th round.

After another round of wince inducing power punches, Matthysse unloaded a perfectly placed right hand that sent Ajose back into the ropes. A follow up straight right hand detonated on the Nigerian's face as Ajose finally crumbled to the canvas for the first time in his career. Referee Russell Mora had finally seen enough and mercifully called a halt to the bout with one second left in the round.

"I finally got my belt," Matthysse (33-2, 30 KOs) said about being the newly minted interim WBC super lightweight champion afterwards. "But it was a tough fight. I thought I had him a few times but he's a tough fighter. I worked really hard for this belt and finally accomplished my dream. I'll fight anybody but it will be hard for anyone to take this from me."

Ajose, though beaten, had nothing to be ashamed of with one of the most stellar displays of courage ever witnessed in the ring. "He's the hardest puncher I ever fought," said an understandably disenchanted Ajose. " I'm not taking anything away from him, but I was inactive and haven't fought in a long time. I could have done better. A good champ falls down and gets back up and that's what I'm going to do."