By Jake Donovan

 

While the best amateur boxers in the world showcase their skills in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the last American to win a medal took center stage in his first televised headliner.

 

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Deontay Wilder (24-0, 24KO) didn't stick around for very long, blowing out late sub Kertson Manswell (22-6, 17KO) in the first round of their main event at Mobile Convention Center Expo Hall in Mobile, AL.

 

Wilder scored three knockdowns on the night, flooring Manswell early into the bout and never looking back. Manswell struggled to get his legs under him, making him a siting duck until the home state favorite finished him for good courtesy of a left hook.

 

The official time was 2:10 of round one.

 

 

Jayson Velez overcame a slow start to knock out Leiva Brea in the sixth round of their televised co-feature. 

 

The unbeaten super bantamweight prospect struggled to get his offensive going early on as Brea - loser in seven of his last ten bouts - came to fight. Once Velez was able to establish his timing and pacing, the bout permanently swung in his favor.

 

A subtle boxing lesson began to develop until Velez caught Brea - and the audience - off guard with a flurry along the ropes. A series of head shots was punctuated by a picture perfect left hook which floored Brea, who took an eight count before the bout was waved off at 1:47 of round six. 

 

Velez advances to 19-0 (14KO) in just his second fight outside of his native Puerto Rico. Brea - fighting for first time in 16 months - falls to 19-10-3 (9KO).

 

Dmitry Salita (34-1-1, 18KO) saw action in a televised swing bout, scoring a fourth round knockout of veteran Roberto Valenzuela (65-63-2, 54KO). 

 

The once-beaten contender ended a 16-month ring hiatus in returning to the ring, as his name surfaced as a potential future opponent for welterweight titlist Paul Malignaggi, who served as color commentator for the broadcast. A win was needed in order to better sell the all-Brooklyn showdown, hence his traveling down south to shake some ring rust.

 

Salita wasted no time in reacquanting himself with the ring, digging to the body early in building a foundation. The strategy worked as Salita went to town before forcing Valenzuela to wilt in round four.

 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox