By Jim Dower: Photo credit Tom Casino/Showtime – Brandon Rios (27-0-1, 20 KO’s) came on strong after a poor start in the first four rounds on Saturday night and ended up stopping WBA World lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (28-4-2, 22 KO’s) in the 10th round to capture his WBA title at the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada. Rios blasted out a tired Acosta out in the 10th with a series of powerful shots.

Round 1 – Rios came out aggressive and shoved Acosta to the canvas. Acosta landing well right high hooks to the head. Rios jabbing and Acosta staying out of range and moving well. There was a little bit of fighting on the inside but referee Joe Cortez stepped in and separated them. Acosta lands a nice right uppercut.

Round – Acosta

Round 2 – Acosta landing more right hand hooks to the head. Acosta clinching when Rios gets in close. Rios shoves Acosta into the corner but is nailed by a hard right hand from Acosta. Rios again tries to force the action to the ropes but neither fighter can do much as they clinch. Rios looks frustrated.

Round – Acosta

Round 3 – Acosta landing well with jabs to the head and smacks Rios with a nice uppercut down the middle. Acosta moving well on his feet and Rios seems uncomfortable, as he’s plodding like a slow middleweight. Rios misses with a shot that had knockout intentions on it. Acosta landing with powerful uppercut. Rios really getting hit hard in this round.

Round – Acosta

Round 4 – Acosta landing well with jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Rios walking into shots. Rios getting hit at will by Acosta and not looking good. Rios keeps coming forward as if he’s walking through a rain storm. However, Acosta really nailing him with hard shots and it doesn’t look good for Rios at this point.

Round – Acosta

Round 5 – Rios comes back in the 5th, landing some nice right hands. Acosta moving too much in this round and not throwing like he was in the previous rounds. Rios landing well to the body when he has Acosta up against the ropes.

Round – Rios

Round 6 – Rios coming forward and forcing the action. Acosta trying to move out of range but Rios keeps catching up to him and throwing hard shots. Acosta knocked down by a hard jab to the head. He gets up and mostly runs for the remainder of the round.

Round – Rios.

Round 7 – Acosta comes back strong, landing and moving. Rios still stalking and trying to land his power shots. Acosta getting out of the way of Rios’ best shots in the round.

Round – Acosta

Round 8 – Rios knocks Acosta down again with a hook to the head while Acosta is trying to move out of range. It’s not a big punch but Acosta hit while moving and not ready. Acosta moving a lot and getting pounded by Rios in the corners. Rios is roughing Acosta up on the inside. The pressure seems to be getting to Acosta.

Round – Rios

Round 9 – Rios is really going after Acosta with hooks to the head and body. Acosta trying to fight back and move, but Rios is stronger and is forcing the fight on Acosta. He literally can’t get away from Rios. Acosta is fading.

Round – Rios

Round 10 – Rios tears into Acosta. Rios drops Acosta with hard combinations. It’s over!