Rosario 's punching credentials are impressive. He has knocked out 23 opponents. But against Chavez his fists—even when they did penetrate a defense forged by Chavez 's dazzling hand speed—hardly earned a blink, which can be wearing on even a champion's confidence. Rosario spent most of his time backed onto the ropes, trying to fend off Chavez 's inexhaustible arsenal of short, cruel shots.

In the eighth round, as Chavez 's efforts were almost exclusively focused on the head, features of Rosario 's face became lost amid the lumps. Blood began to flow from cuts inside his mouth and from a cut on the edge of his right eye. One savage uppercut sent his gory mouthpiece flying.

By the end of the 10th round—when the fight should have been stopped—Rosario's left eye had been hammered shut. His right was a puffy slit. At that point Rosario 's courage could not have been doubted; he should have been told to retire.

But no. His corner sent him out again. Rising from his stool, Rosario peered back at his people, as though questioning their judgment. Then he shrugged and went forward. For the next 2:36, he helplessly absorbed 73 punches from Chavez , only one of which was a jab.

Finally Rosario 's trainer, Lalo Medina, threw in the towel, which caught referee Steele 's attention when it smacked against his back. It came too late to qualify as an act of mercy.

Later, Chavez displayed a badly bruised right hand. The last two knuckles were black-and-blue and swollen. "I did it in the fifth round," he said.

"Did you stop throwing it?" asked someone who must have missed the fight.