By Jim Dower: Former IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (31-4-1, 19 KO’s) continued with his comeback on Friday night in stopping Raul Munoz (23-7, 16 KO’s) in the 2nd round at the Ameristar Casino, in Saint Charles, Missouri, USA. Taylor, 34, knocked Munoz down twice in the fight, once in the 1st and a final time in the second round. Munoz stayed down for a long time after the second knockdown. The official time of the stoppage was 1:05.

In the 1st round, Taylor knocked Munoz down with a hard right hand to the head. The round was all Taylor, who wasted no time in trying to get this guy out as quick as possibly by unloading on hi with constant power shots.

This was a step backwards for Taylor from the first two opponents he’s faced during his comeback against Jessie Nicklow and Caleb Truax. It’s unclear why Taylor was taking a step back, because at his age he should be moving forward and not backwards. It had been six months since Taylor lost fought, and he’s going to have to be a lot busier than this if he wants to get a title shot before he’s 40.

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In the prospects on the card, undefeated super featherweight Jose Pedraza (11-0, 7 KO’s) defeated Tevin Farmer (7-4-1, 1 KO’s) by an 8th round TKO. Pedraza, 23, pounded the 22-year-old Farmer at will round after round until the fight was finally halted in the 8th.

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Undefeated super middleweight prospect Lamar Russ (11-0, 7 KO’s) scored a sudden 1st round knockout over Jonathan Cepeda (12-1, 11 KO’s) after hurting him with a left hand and then putting him down with a right to the head. After Cepeda got back to his feet the fight was halted at 1:45 of the round.

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Heavyweight Tor Hamer (19-1, 12 KO’s) increased his winning streak to eight fights by stopping Dominique Alexander (23-15-1, 11 KO’s) in the 2nd round. The fight was halted after the 29-year-old Hamer flurried on Alexander until the referee jumped in and halted the fight at 1:02 of the round. Alexander was knocked down twice in the 1st round.

In other action on the card:

Dannie Williams TKO 7 Rynell Griffin