British flyweight Sunny Edwards suffered to his first professional defeat as he was beaten by Jesse Rodriguez in his unification fight in Arizona.
American Rodriguez dropped Edwards with a straight left hand in the ninth round.
Edwards, who was marked up beneath both eyes, beat the count but his corner stopped the fight before the 10th round.
Rodriguez dominated proceedings and claimed the IBF and WBO unified flyweight belts.
“This is a hell of a fighter," said Edwards.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the 27-year-old added: “My tricks that usually get me out of the way of shots, he was getting on to them.
“I just couldn't see. From the second round, my eye was completely blurry and from about round six I got cut. It was getting hard in there, more through the vision.”
Edwards added: “I'm bitterly disappointed, but grateful to be in the main event. Flyweight boxers, we don't get this. I'll be back. Boxing is all I've got. Just a bit disappointed my eye went so early on. But, yes, no excuses from me.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: "Sunny will get stick because he's so outspoken but I also think he's going to win a lot of fans tonight with that bravery on both sides of the Atlantic."
