Boxing: Hopoate knocked out by McCall

John Hopoate's fears about the "lethal" right hand of former heavyweight boxing world champion Oliver McCall proved justified as the American stopped him within two rounds of their IBA Intercontinental title bout in Las Vegas.

McCall, 44, dropped Hopoate twice in the second round at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, with experienced referee Joe Cortez halting the fight after the second knock down.

Prior to the fight, Hopoate - whose record now stands at 11-3 with 11 KOs - had been confident but wary of McCall's right hand.

It was McCall's first fight in 19 months but the American veteran showed little ring rust against a much less experienced fighter.

Hopoate, 34, was competitive in the first round against McCall, who had a massive 47 more professional fights under his belt heading into the contest for the vacant title.

The Australian landed some good right hand power punches in an even first round, but McCall soon found his range with the right and dropped Hopoate a minute into the second round.

The Sydneysider was floored by a barrage of right hands including an uppercut, but quickly got back to his feet.

McCall showed no mercy, quickly producing another flurry of right hand blows which sent Hopoate back to the canvas.

Nicknamed "The Atomic Bull", McCall displayed a snappy left jab as well as a stinging right hand and rarely allowed Hopoate to land more than a couple of successive punches, tying up his less experienced opponent.

Hopoate's trainer and manager David Millward felt his charge paid the price for not carrying out his game plan of putting the older fighter under constant pressure.

"He's not hurt, he's fine, I thought he had the first round," Millward said.

"He didn't listen, he didn't do what he was supposed to do, put the pressure on him and do more work, he didn't do more work.

"I believe he hurt McCall against the ropes, I don't think he followed through with it.

"Obviously John is very disappointed. He's in his room copping a mouthful from his wife, which is probably worse than what I could ever dish out to him."

Millward said he thought Hopoate's next bout should be a defence of the Australian title he won from Bob Mirovic last September.

Mirovic has been pushing for a rematch of the fight on the Gold Coast which Hopoate won on a ninth round stoppage.

The result improved McCall's record to 52-9 with 37 KOs.

"The first round I felt him out and I caught him a few times and I just waited to the second round," McCall said in his post fight interview.

"In the second round I caught him with several punches, a left hook and started to hit him with jabs, an uppercut and a straight right hand.

"He's a man with a big heart. He hit me with a couple of good shots, about six shots, I just stayed focussed and did what I had to do."

- AAP