MIAMI Australian Kostya Tszyu used his trademark firepower to stop former champion Miguel Angel Gonzalez of Mexico 48 seconds into the 10th round Friday night and claim undisputed rights to the WBC super lightweight title. Tszyu, a former International Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion, was doing so much damage to Gonzalez that the Mexican's corner called for the end of the bout.

Tszyu, who improved to 23-1-1 with his 19th win inside the distance, already held the interim WBC super lightweight title after stopping Cuban defector Diobelys Hurtado in November 1998. But Gonzalez had been able to lay claim to at least a share of the title after judges miscalculated scores following his draw with fellow Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez. Tszyu and Gonzalez had been scheduled to meet twice before but injury forced a postponements each time.

When they finally got in the ring, Tszyu wasted little time establishing his punching power and boxing skills. Gonzalez fell to 43-2-1. While there were no knockdowns in the fight, Tszyu dominated the action throughout and nearly had Gonzalez out in the fifth. Combining his awkward angles and ability to head hunt, Tszyu landed repeatedly to the jaw of Gonzalez and had the former champion in danger repeatedly.

Tszyu's only professional loss came to Vince Phillips in May 1997. Since then he has posted five straight victories by knockout. (Reuter)