Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

The highly touted Vasyl Lomachenko retained his WBO featherweight title with a ninth-round TKO over a game, but severely overmatched, Gamalier Rodriguez.

The astounding amateur career of Lomachenko (4-1, 2 knockouts) has carried over into his professional career but he’s also managed to make the transition from punching to scoring to punching to hurting. After plucking away with a jab in the early rounds, Lomachenko cranked up the pressure and sat down on his power shots in Round 4.

Rodriguez – who had won his last 18 fights – was only left with his heart on the line as the Ukrainian two-time Olympic gold medalist was in complete control throughout.

Rodriguez lost a point the fifth and eighth for low blows but it wouldn’t affect the outcome. An accumulation of body shots put Rodriguez down in the seventh and it was apparent that the end was near. A glorified exhibition ensued with Lomachenko finding his openings and dissecting his overmatched foe. In Round 9, Lomachenko cranked a right cross into Rodriguez’s face and sent him down yet again. Rodriguez remained on his knee as referee Robert Byrd delivered the 10 count at the :50 mark and Lomachenko proved that he’s certainly one to watch.