Dundalk's Mike Dietrich improved to 19-0 by scoring an easy, three-round decision against heavyweight Isaiah Tye (15-3) last night before a capacity crowd at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.
The 5-foot-11, 218-pound Dietrich pressed for his 15th knockout but Tye, fearing the southpaw's power, stayed out of reach. Dietrich, however, landed several powerful blows to his head and body, and jabbed effectively.
Dietrich, 16, still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered last month, said he has put on 13 pounds from weightlifting since his last fight in April.
"The extra weight might not be noticeable to everyone, but I was feeling it," he said. "I was feeling a little slower than usual. ... In my next fight, the guy's getting knocked out. I promise you."
Tye, a 220-pounder from Cincinnati who won a bronze medal in a recent national tournament, was the fourth replacement for the fight, as Dietrich's reputation rises and continues to discourage prospective opponents.
Tye accepted the offer Tuesday night to fight Dietrich, who turns 17 next month.