By Keith Idec

Jaron Ennis delivered Friday night.

The skillful, powerful Philadelphia native dropped Armando Alvarez four times in the third round and scored a technical knockout in a scheduled 10-rounder in Sloan, Iowa. The confident, flashy welterweight prospect improved to 21-0 and produced his 19th knockout in his first televised main event, which Showtime televised from WinnaVegas Casino Resort.

The 21-year-old Ennis was entirely too fast and too strong for Alvarez (18-1, 12 KOs), who built his record against a low level of opposition. Referee Adam Pollack called an end to their fight with one second to go in the third round.

A right hook to the head by Ennis 20 seconds into the third round set up a left to Alvarez’s body that sent him to the canvas a few seconds later. Alvarez, who was bleeding from a cut over his left eye, reached his feet and tried to fight back.

Ennis drilled him with another left to the body that made Alvarez take a knee with 1:28 to go in the third. Ennis’ right uppercut-left hook combination sent Alvarez down again, this time with 1:03 left in the third.

A game Alvarez got up again, but took a knee just as the third round ended. Pollack waved an end to the first after Alvarez went down for the fourth time.

Ennis’ left hook to Alvarez’s body made him wince and made him move away from Ennis with just over a minute to go in the second round. Sensing Alvarez couldn’t keep up with him, Ennis showboated toward the end of the second round.

Ennis’ speed troubled Alvarez as soon as their fight started. Ennis fought out of a southpaw stance almost immediately and consistently landed to Alvarez’s body in the first round.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.