Andrade stops Akavov to retain WBO middleweight title

NEW YORK (AP) — Demetrius Andrade easily defended his WBO middleweight title Friday night, stopping Russia’s Artur Akavov in the 12th round to remain unbeaten.
Andrade (27-0, 17 KOs) seemed headed to a lopsided decision victory before referee Arthur Mercante called a sudden and surprising end to the fight with about a half-minute left when Andrade landed a punch that knocked Akavov backward a bit.
The angry Akavov shoved Mercante away, but that was about the best contact he made in t