LOWELL — Most fighters coming off a loss would ease back into action with soft fight.
Calvin Kattar did the opposite, booking himself against undefeated (8-0) Jeff Anderson in last night's XCFL 2 card at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
And Kattar, known for his finishing, delivered, knocking out Anderson with heavy blows while on his opponent's back in the third round.
Yesterday also was the fighter's 22nd birthday.
"Yeah, it's a great birthday present," Kattar said. "Coming off a loss, I didn't want to take a step back. You only get better if you take on better opponents and (Anderson) is a great fighter. He was undefeated so I knew that I would be tested and it was a real tough fight."
Anderson had won all eight of his fights by decision and tried to keep Kattar along the cage to force the fight the distance. But as Anderson went for underhooks to pin Kattar on the cage, the former Methuen wrestler delivered punishing knees to Anderson's mid-section.
"I only saw video of him about three days ago," Kattar said. "I knew that he was winning a lot of decisions, so that first told me his conditioning was excellent. I knew that my best chance at winning the fight would be by finishing him."
Like Kattar, Anderson is considered one of the top prospects on the East Coast.
"It's a lot tougher as you go up a level in opponents," he said. "There were times tonight that I landed punches and he just smiled at me. Those were punches that were finishing most other guys and he just smiled, so I learned a lot about myself and what I'll need to work on going forward."
Kattar always appeared in control, and finally swung the fight his way with a spectacular take down — channeling his wrestling days — bringing Anderson over with a flying toss off his hip. He then took Anderson's back and started raining punches to the side of Anderson's head.
"That (take down) was the turning point," Kattar said.
It was the first time all night that the fighters went to the ground. They were either standing and trading blows or Anderson would work Kattar on the cage.
"He survived some of my early punches," Kattar said. "He ate some big shots and he kept coming at me. I was being patient and waiting for an opening. I thought I had some earlier in the fight and went for them but he closed up before I could hit it, which is a credit to him. But that take down in the third is really where I got that one opening. It was the only one I could really take advantage of all night and it turned out to be the difference for me."
Nearly the entire balcony at the Auditorium was filled with Kattar supporters constantly chanting his name throughout the entire bout.
"It's a special feeling, I can't really describe it," he said. "The first few times it happened to me, you just can't believe they're chanting your name, chanting for you. I love the support, it's awesome."
XCFL 2 Results
Nick Drummond def. Greg DeSilva (choke) 4:43, 1st
Robbie Roberts def. Tom Van Der Host (TKO) 1:11, 1st
Steve Skrazat def. Anthony Lampson (TKO) 0:18, 1st
Mario Cardilla def Billy Walsh (Dec.)
Greg Rebello def. Anthony Dick (TKO) 0:11, 1st
Calvin Kattar def. Jeff Anderson (TKO) 4:05, 3rd
Dan Keefe def. Lance Everson (choke) 4:11, 3rd
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Collegiate Corner: Philly College Hoops - 2/9
Ovechkin: "I don't think we deserved to lose today."
Brayden Schenn scores a goal against his brother Luke
What is ailing the Flyers?
Briere on facing the Maple Leafs
Flyers on Bobrovsky starting and work ethic
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
