David Morrell Jr. defended a WBA super middleweight title in his usual sudden fashion on Saturday night at the Minneapolis Armory.
Morrell went to 10-0 for his pro career by stopping Sena Agbeko (28-3) on a TKO at 1:43 of the second round.
The largest crowd announced for a boxing card at the remodeled Armory — 5,347 — came to cheer Morrell. He had his first pro fight and several title defenses at the Armory after early training in Minneapolis and still calls this his boxing home.
"Thank you to my fans for coming to the fight," Morrell said. "Teaching everyone who is the No. 1."
Morrell was fighting in front of his parents — Rafael Sr. and Betty — for the first time as a pro. They were allowed to emigrate to the U.S. from Cuba and made it to Florida on Nov. 2.
"I'm so excited," Morrell said. "The first time my dad and my mom came to watch me fight, so I'm really excited to have them here. … It's my night. It's my time. It's my year, and I'm looking forward to a good 2024."
Agbeko got through the first round as Morrell looked for an opening. Morrell is a lefty and by the time opponents adjust to that idea, the fight often is near a conclusion.
Morrell maneuvered Agbeko into the corner ropes midway in the second round, then delivered a combination of punches that caused Agbeko to sag, and that was it. Referee Mark Nelson deemed Agbeko defenseless and stopped it.
