Lomachenko, Santa Cruz control Mayweather-Pacquiao undercard (The Associated Press)

Vasyl Lomachenko defended his WBO featherweight title with style Saturday night, stopping Gamalier Rodriguez in the ninth round on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s fight with Manny Pacquiao. Leo Santa Cruz also pounded out a one-sided victory over Jose Cayetano in his featherweight debut while celebrities and wealthy boxing fans filed into the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the most anticipated main event in several years. The two-time Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine battered Rodriguez (25-3-3) with hand speed, footwork, combinations and relentless work, eventually breaking down the game challenger. Rodriguez, who was unbeaten in his last 18 consecutive fights, was penalized twice for low blows by referee Robert Byrd, who waved off the fight in the ninth when Rodriguez stayed on one knee deep into the count.