By Derek Bonnett
Former light weight titlist Dejan Zlaticanin got himself back in the win column with a quick first round KO of veteran opponent Hevinson Herrera at BB King Blues Club & Grill in New York. For Zlaticanin, it was a tiny step back into the mix after suffering what will likely be a serious contender for KO of the Year against Mikey Garcia back in January.
The fireplug Zlaticanin, who appeared to be several inches or more shorter than Herrera, jumped on his foe immediately and made it clear that the gap in ability between the two was even greater than the height disparity. The Montenegro native was able to hurt Herrera with his left over the top and force him into the corner early. Zlaticanin, 33, dropped Herrera in the corner with a barrage of overhand lefts that put the Colombia boxer on his trunks. The end came quickly at the 1:57 mark of the first round.
Zlaticanin separated himself from his lone defeat, but will need to do much more than stop Herrera to re-establish himself among the elite in his division. Nevertheless, Zlaticanin lifted his ledger to 23-1-0 (16). Herrera, 33 also, fell to 22-14-1 (16).
