LAS VEGAS – Curmel Moton didn’t need a full round to knock out another opponent Saturday night.
The 17-year-old featherweight prospect promoted by Floyd Mayweather dropped Hunter Turbyfill twice in the first round and scored a first-round knockout in a walkout bout after David Benavidez stopped Demetrius Andrade in the main event at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena. Referee Allen Huggins declared Moton the winner with one second to go in the first round when Turbyfill (3-1, 1 KO), a southpaw from Memphis, failed to get up in time after Moton dropped him with a body shot.
Las Vegas’ Moton (2-0, 2 KOs) won by first-round knockout after a high-profile main event for the second time in less than two months. He dropped and stopped Ezequiel Flores (4-1, 3 KOs) in the first round of his pro debut September 30, immediately after Canelo Alvarez defeated Jermell Charlo by unanimous decision in their 12-round super middleweight title fight at nearby T-Mobile Arena.
Moton, who went 156-7 as an amateur, received special permission from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to turn pro prior to his 18th birthday. He has been mentored by Mayweather, who was seated ringside, since he was a young child.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.