Leapai, facing Mexican Felipe Romero (16-7-1, 11), got off to the perfect start dropping Romero in the opening round. Surprisingly however Romero got back to his feet and was genuinely competitive over the following few rounds, winning several before Leapai's power again proved the difference with Romero being dropped in round 9.
Romero would again get up but would soon be sent down for a second time in the round with Leapai taking a 9th round TKO.
Although Leapai retained his title we've got to admit we've absolutely no idea how Romero, a Mexican currently living in the USA, managed to qualify for a WBO Asia Pacific title fight, though I guess this sort of thing does happen, somehow.
In a battle of unbeaten fighters in the US, Gerald Washington (9-0, 6) made an eye catching impression stopping Jerry Forrest (7-1, 6) in the second of a scheduled 8. Washington seems to have come out of nowhere in recent bouts to have suddenly become one of the "ones to watch" and whilst he's certainly flawed he has real power and wonderful athletic ability. Aged 31 he has hasn't got time to waste and in all honesty, it's doubt he'd waste it even if he did have it to waste.
The main bout of the evening saw Deontay Wilder (29-0, 29) blasting out a shop worn Siarhei Liakhovich (25-6, 16) inside a round. Liakhovich came in to the bout looking bone dry and he never got going before being knocked down by a right hand. The reaction of Liakhovich when he was down was bad with him spasming the he looked fine soon afterwards.
In all honesty whilst this was supposed to be a step up for Wilder it really wasn't. Liakhovich, as mentioned was dry coming in, hadn't fought in well over a year and had been stopped in his previous 2 contests. Hopefully this will be the end for Liakhovich who looked like he was here for a payday and not a victory.
For Wilder this is a victory over a "former world champion" though in reality it's victory over a fighter who's best days were the better part of a decade ago.