Pedroza Is Winner in Las Vegas Bout

World-ranked junior welterweight Engles Pedroza of Long Beach stopped Jerry Stephens of Tyler, Tex., at 2:37 of the second round Saturday night in their scheduled 10-round bout at the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas.

Pedroza, 148, ranked No. 6 by the World Boxing Assn., had no problems with the outclassed and light-hitting Stephens, a substitute who accepted the fight on 3 days’ notice.

The hard-hitting Pedroza (24-2 with 23 knockouts) pounded Stephens (10-3 with 5 knockouts) with a barrage to the head. Stephens, 148, slumped into the ropes, and referee Richard Steele stopped the fight.