Malajika Stops Mama To Retain His IBO Junior Bantamweight Title

Ricardo Malajika (16-2-0, 12 KOs) successfully defended his IBO Junior Bantamweight Title, stopping Jayson Mama (20-3-1, 10 KOs) in the fifth round after dropping him five times.

The fight started cautiously, with both fighters sizing each other up. Malajika kept Mama at bay with a solid jab, while Mama looked to land his big left hook. In the second, Malajika found his rhythm, landing a clean one-two and using his jab to control the pace. He began walking Mama down, landing punches to both the head and body, ending the round with a solid right hand.

The third round saw Malajika take charge, dropping Mama with a right hand early. He followed up with another right hand that floored Mama again. Despite the knockdowns, Mama managed to survive the round, though he was clearly hurt.

Mama fought back in the fourth, landing a left hook and right hand, but a powerful left hook and a chopping right hand sent him to the canvas once more. The fifth round saw Malajika maintain relentless pressure, dropping Mama again, as the referee stopped the fight. This was the first time anyone had stopped Mama.