(FEB 22) Kina Malpartida won the vacant WBA super-featherweight title stopping Maureen Shea in the tenth round, Saturday night, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The stoppage, called by referee Eddie Cotton came with twenty-five seconds remaining in the ten round bout. Malpartida caught Shea with a straight right to the head, sending the Bronx fighter, the favorite of the Garden crowd, sprawling face down on the canvas. Shea gamely got to her feet at a six count, but after carefully assessing the fighter, referee Cotton, correctly, called a halt.

Shea, 128, gave up a pound and a half and four inches to Malpartida, but it was the New York fighter who started fast, scoring a flash knockdown in the first half minute of the bout, catching Malpartida with a picture perfect left hook as the Peruvian born fighter was backing away. Malpartida arose quickly and did not appear hurt. However throughout the bout, Malpartida kept her right hand high against her head guarding against another left hook. After a defensive second round, Malpartida seemed to become more comfortable and confident as the fight progressed, being most effective when she kept the fight in the middle of the ring. Shea, aggressive through the entire bout, pursued the taller fighter but paid a price as Malpartida continually counter-punched effectively.

The tenth round was Malpartida's biggest round of the fight and midway thru the stanza she seemed to score a knockdown, but it was ruled a slip by the referee. She continued to press Shea, scoring several big punches before the final right hand. Post fight sources at ringside revealed that going into the tenth round Malpartida was comfortably ahead on all three cards, 87-83 (2X) and 88-81.

It was Shea's first loss in fourteen decisions, while the new champion improved to 9-3, scoring her second knockout of her career.

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