Liam Smith stops Jessie Vargas in round 10 on the Taylor vs. Serrano map

On Katie Taylor’s undercard against Amanda Serrano, Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith went to war. With her career at stake, Smith pulled out the win.

Katie Taylor’s undercard against Amanda Serrano saw former champions Liam Smith and Jessie Vargas battling for overtime under the boxing sun.

Smith was the one who extended his boxing career.

It’s been years since Smith and Vargas wore title belts, but the super welterweights attempted to turn back time on April 30 at Madison Square Garden.

Vargas (29-4-2, 11 KOs) looked like a rejuvenated fighter in the early rounds. He jumped on Smith and landed the harder punches.

A cut opened above Smith’s right eye in round 3 from a heads-on collision. It was a bad cut that bled, but Smith woke up.

Smith (21-3-1, 18 KOs) began assisting Vargas despite losing Round 4. Seeing his blood seemed to wake Smith up.

England’s Liam Smith bested Jessie Vargas to extend his career

Smith took over from round 4. He kept Vargas moving, landing on body and head.

All the energy Vargas showed in the first three rounds faded in the following rounds. Smith’s confidence grew as he went through Vargas’ punches.

After round 9, Vargas’ trainer Nonito Donaire threatened to end the fight. The referee did it for him in round 10.

Smith sent Vargas into the ropes with a right hand and followed with a combination. Vargas was exhausted and the referee waved the fight off, giving Smith the TKO in round 10.

At 32, Vargas looks finished. Smith is a little older at 33, but his victory over Vargas gives him his second consecutive win by stoppage.