UNCASVILLE - Unbeaten Devon Alexander stopped Juan Urango in the eighth round on Saturday to unify the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council light-welterweight titles.

UNCASVILLE - Unbeaten Devon Alexander stopped Juan Urango in the eighth round on Saturday to unify the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council light-welterweight titles.

Referee Benjy Esteves stopped the fight 1:12 into the eighth round after a pair of uppercuts by US standout Alexander sent Colombia's Urango to the first knockout defeat of his career.

Alexander improved to 20-0 with his 13th victory inside the distance while Urango fell to 22-3 with one drawn.

The American added Urango's IBF crown to his WBC title belt with a devastating right uppercut in the eighth and another stunning blow to the temple followed by a final uppercut that send Urango down to end the fight.

Alexander stopped Britain's Junior Witter to claim the vacant WBC title last August, the same month Urango returned the light welterweight ranks with an 11th-round stoppage of American Randall Bailey for the IBF crown.

The only prior losses for Urango were to former champion Ricky Hatton of England in 2007 and current welterweight title holder Andre Berto last May.

Alexander opened a cut above the South American's left eye in round two but stayed patient rather than risk getting into a flurry with the hard-punching Colombian. - Sapa-AP