Dave Apolinario falls to Angel Ayala in first world title fight

Filipino boxer Dave Apolinario was unsuccessful in his first world title bid after absorbing a sixth-round stoppage at the hands of Angel Ayala on Saturday at Restaurante Arroyo in Mexico City.

Apolinario, 25, started strong, landing his left straight, crisp jabs, and right hook while avoiding the Mexican's power shots in the early going. Ayala, to his credit, weathered the storm and continued to press the action.

Ayala picked up the pace as Apolinario started to slow down as the rounds went on. The Mexican was relentless, going to the head and body in his attempt to pick up on the rounds he lost early in the bout.

Ayala sent Apolinario to the canvas in round 6. Apolinario got up, only to be on the canvas again with a barrage of punches that put him away for good at the 2:06 mark of the stanza.

The win improved Ayala's perfect record to 18-0 with 8 knockouts while Apolinaro had his first taste of defeat as he dropped to 20-1 with 14 knockouts.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News