SACRAMENTO -- Rogelio Castaneda used an overpowering right
punch to knock out Craig Weber in the fourth round to retain his
IBA light welterweight title at Arco Arena on Friday.
It was the third fight between the two men. Castaneda won a
split decision against Weber in 2003. When they met again in 2004,
it ended in a 12-round draw.
Before a home crowd, Castaneda, 29, of Sacramento sent Weber to
the canvas right before the bell rung at the end of the fourth
round.
"I knew it was a matter of time when I would take him out,"
Castaneda said. "I know my power (punches) were getting better and
better."
Weber, 31, of Cleveland, said following the match that he's
considering retirement.
"The first two times we met he didn't hurt me too much," Weber
said of the prior two meetings with Castaneda. "I think he's
gotten stronger since the last time we met, which is obvious."
Castaneda weighed in at 139 pounds and improved his record to
22-10-3. Weber, who weighed 140 pounds, dropped to 21-2-2.
Also on the night's card was an 8-round lightweight match
between Daniel Jimenez of Puerto Rico who won a split decision over
Vincente Escobedo. Jimenez is now 14-1-1, while Escobedo falls to
9-1-0.