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Dante Benjamin made a successful pro debut in short order Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The 19-year-old light heavyweight prospect dropped Herman Rendon twice and stopped him 2:05 into the first round of a four-rounder on the Xavier Martinez-Robson Conceicao undercard at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Rendon, an Odessa, Texas, native who took this fight on short notice, lost for the first time in three pro bouts (2-1, 0 KOs).
A stiff jab by Benjamin sent Rendon to his gloves and knees 45 seconds into their bout. Rendon answered referee Mark Nelson’s count, but Benjamin didn’t need much more time to finish him off.
Benjamin’s left hook knocked Rendon flat on his back with 1:06 to go in the opening round. Rendon beat Nelson’s count again, but Nelson determined he shouldn’t continue and halted their fight.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.