Breland, on TKO in Second, Extends Pro Record to 5-0

TOTOWA, N.J. — Mark Breland, showing more right-hand power than in his previous pro fights, scored two second-round knockdowns Wednesday night and stopped Dario DeJesus at 2:49 of the round.

Breland, the 1984 Olympic welterweight champion, improved to 5-0 with two knockouts as a pro. DeJesus fell to 14-9-3.

Breland made use of his height advantage and took control with his left jab from the outset. The 6-foot 2-inch New Yorker chased DeJesus in the first round and opened a cut under the Miami boxer’s right eye. DeJesus threw few punches and constantly circled the ring.

A left jab followed by a straight right put DeJesus down near the ropes midway through the second round. He got up at the count of 6, but a Breland flurry chased DeJesus across the ring, and a right uppercut sat him down in Breland’s corner. DeJesus rose at eight, but referee Larry Hazzard would not let him continue in the scheduled eight-rounder.

It was the second straight second-round knockout by Breland, who was criticized after his first three pro fights went the full six rounds. Wednesday’s fight was Breland’s first scheduled eight-rounder and his first non-televised pro bout.

On the undercard, Tracy Harris, a two-time New York Golden Glove champion and the adopted son of former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, made his pro debut and scored a four-round unanimous decision over Ray Doughty of Monticello, N.Y..