Kelly Defends Title With Knockout

Defending champion Derrick Kelly scored an eighth-round knockout over Derwin Richards Monday night at the Forum to retain the North American Boxing Federation welterweight crown.

Kelly, from Riverside, held an advantage throughout the scheduled 12-round bout with quick moves that confused Richards.

Referee Lou Filippo stopped the bout at 2:15 of the eighth round as Richards, 21, was unable to ward off Kelly, 28.

Kelly (23-1-2) was expected to meet a difficult challenge from the NABF’s No. 10 contender. Kelly gained the NABF welterweight crown with a victory over Luis Santana of the Dominican Republic.

In a semifinal match in the $225,000 Forum Superlightweight Tournament Championship, Rodolfo Aguilar of Panama City, won a unanimous 10-round decision over Joe Rivera of Rio Piedra, Puerto Rico.