PRIMM, Nevada (CMC) – Undefeated Cuban boxer Yuriorkis Gamboa stopped Venezuelan Jose Rojas in the 10th round to capture the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title on Friday night.

Gamboa, a former Olympic champion before turning professional, punished the veteran South American southpaw (left-hander) in an impressive display at the Buffalo Bill’s Star Arena.

With the victory, Gamboa improved his ring record to 15-0 (13 knockouts) and Rojas slipped to 25 wins (17 knockouts) against seven losses and one draw.

The pro-Cuban crowd of 4 600 watched Gamboa use his impressive speed and ring-craft to frustrate Rojas.

By the fifth round, Rojas was displaying a swollen right eye and he took a barrage of punches in the seventh.

Urged on by a cheering crowd, Gamboa continued his sustained attack until the referee halted the scheduled 12-round bout at 1:31 of the 10th round.

Gamboa led 90-80, 90-81 and 89-81 on the judges’ cards at the time of the stoppage.

“This was a good fight and I am happy,” Gamboa said after the bout.

“Rojas took a lot of punches. But I felt good. I am ready for any of the top featherweights in the world,” added Gamboa, who won gold for Cuba at the 2004 Athens Olympics but defected before the 2007 Pan-American Games in Brazil.