LOS ANGELES—Romero Duno showed on Thursday night why he’s worth headlining a US fight card, beating Gilberto Gonzalez via unanimous decision and raising his stock as a world-title contender.

The hard-hitting Filipino from General Santos City, unloaded more punches, including power bombs, to earn win over the tough Mexican 97-93, 97-93 and 98-92 in the 10–round bout held by Golden Boy Promotions at Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino in Indio, Calif.

Regarded as a prime prospect to challenge for a world title, Duno raised his record to 17-1 with 14 knockouts, highlighted by his two-round demolition of erstwhile unbeaten Christian Gonzalez last year and first-round conquest of Yardley Armenta Cruz on January 27.

Duno, 22, actually downed Gonzalez, 33, in the second round following a right-left combination, but the referee ruled it a slip.

In the sixth round, the 5-foot-10 Gonzalez waged a furious assault that put the 5-7 Duno on the defensive d. The Filipino, however, sneaked in a vicious left hook to the body that stopped Gonzalez on his track and turned the round around.

With Gonzalez's right eye swelling, his nose bleeding and needing a knockout to steal the fight, Duno played it smart and even hurt his gritty opponent with an uppercut in the last round, capping his dominance.

When the final bell sounded, the protagonists embraced in mutual respect and the crowd applauded.

According to Duno, fighting under Sanman Promotions and being handed by former world champion Rodel Mayol, Gonzalez, who was also beaten by US-based Filipino Mercito Gesta in 2017, was tough to crack with a good chin.

Duno, who threw 443 heavy punches out of 637 against Gonzalez’s 318 out of 534 and landed more (193-113), said he really wanted to put up a good show for his countrymen and convince Golden Boy that he’s ready to contend for a world crown.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)