McWilliams Arroyo becomes interim WBC flyweight champion

Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo won on Saturday the £ 112 World Boxing Council (WBC) interim title with a fifth-round TKO over Abraham Rodriguez in the semi-stellar fight under the card at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, and aired on DAZN.

Rodriguez was a last-minute opponent for Arroyo, who improved to 21-4 with 16 eliminations and a 4-0 record under Miguel Cotto Promotions. The Aztec replaced Julio César Martínez on Friday, who canceled his participation a few hours before the weigh-in due to an injury to his right hand.

It was the second time that the clash between Arroyo and Martínez had an obstacle. In August last year, the trial was postponed because Martinez suffered from pneumonia unrelated to the COVID-19 virus.

On Saturday, 35-year-old Arroyo dominated the game against Rodríguez, who put a knee on the canvas in the fourth round before the penalty in Puerto Rico. Fajardeño did not give up in the next round and the referee stopped the match with 1:41 minutes left from the fifth episode in favor of Arroyo.

Arroyo finally raised a scepter after failing the first two starting attempts against Nicaraguan novel “Chocolatito” González and Thai Amnat Ruenroeng, both defeats by decision.