Dy stops British foe to defend Bare Knuckle title

MANILA, Philippines -- And still.

Rolando Dy retained his Bare Knuckle Boxing super welterweight championship after securing a technical knockout win over Scott McHugh in the third round Sunday morning (Manila time) at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England. 

Dy needed just three rounds to knock his opponent out and grab his seventh win in eight contests. 

Fireworks were set off early as the two fighters traded huge punches in the first round. 

The Filipino boxer then connected on a combination in the second round, which rattled McHugh and sent him to the canvas. 

Although the British fighter beat the count, it only took a few seconds before he was knocked down anew with a booming, lightning-quick right.

McHugh beat the count anew, but with 12 seconds remaining, a left hook decked his jaw for a third knockdown in the round. 

The 34-year-old survived the frame, with Dy asking his opponent not to continue on. 

Still, the fight went on to the third round. The Filipino, smelling blood, set the knockout up with a right hook and a left haymaker, which landed cleanly on McHugh’s face. 

Dy was heard yelling “Stop it!” and while McHugh again beat the count, the referee waved him off as his corner threw in the towel at the 2:12 mark of the round. 

Dy has now won five straight matches for a 7-1 win-loss record, with six knockouts. On the other hand, McHugh dropped to a 16-6 card.