McWilliams Arroyo becomes interim WBC flyweight champion

The Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo captured Saturday the 112-pound World Boxing Council (WBC) intertitle with a fifth round TKO against Abraham Rodríguez in the undercard semi-star fight held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, and broadcast at the request of DAZN.

Rodriguez was a last-minute opponent for Arroyo, who improved to 21-4 with 16 knockouts and a 4-0 record under Miguel Cotto Promotions. The Aztec replaced Julio César Martínez on Friday, who canceled his participation hours before the weigh-in due to a right hand injury.

It was the second time that the clash between Arroyo and Martínez had been set back. Last August, the lawsuit was postponed because Martinez had contracted pneumonia unrelated to the COVID-19 virus.

On Saturday, Arroyo, 35, dominated the game against Rodríguez, who put a knee to the canvas in round four for the Puerto Rican penalty. The Fajardeño did not give up on the next round and the referee stopped the match with 1:41 minutes remaining from the fifth episode in favor of Arroyo.

Arroyo finally raised a scepter after failing his first two starting attempts against Nicaraguan Roman “Chocolatito” González and Thai Amnat Ruenroeng, both defeated by decision.