MANILA: Michael Dasmariñas made a significant step closer to a return to world title contention after dominating Eduardo Esquivel for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) international featherweight title on Sunday (Philippine time) at the Lions Centre in George Town, Cayman Islands. Dasmariñas, the former International Boxing Organization bantamweight champ, needed only one round to finish off Esquivel and capture the WBF's secondary title in the 126-pound division. According to Philippines News Agency, the countdown to the end began when Dasmariñas connected on a right hook that staggered Esquivel, followed by a 1-2 combo before a left uppercut knocked the Belizian pug down for the first time in the bout. Esquivel made the eight counts, but he could not withstand Dasmariñas' continued offense until a left hook sent him down again. Although Esquivel still got up, the referee had seen enough and called off the bout at the 2:15 mark of Round 1. Dasmariñas won his 36th professional bout, 25th via knockout , against three losses and two draws, while Esquivel dropped his fifth loss, third via stoppage, against 16 wins and one draw.