CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) – Evander Holyfield’s bid to become the first five-time heavyweight champion gained momentum Saturday night when the 44-year-old fighter stopped Vinny Maddalone in a bloody, one-sided bout.

At the urging of Maddalone’s trainer, referee Ruben Carrion stopped the fight at 2:48 of the third round, with Maddalone bleeding profusely from the forehead and Holyfield blasting away.

Seconds earlier, with Maddalone against the ropes, the former champ nearly floored Maddalone, much to the delight of the partisan crowd of about 6,500 at the American Bank Center. As the nontitle match neared its end, most in attendance roared, “Holyfield! Holyfield!”

Holyfield, whose comeback unfolds even as his name is associated with a nationwide steroid scandal, entered the fight at 216 pounds, about 17 pounds lighter than Maddalone. Holyfield improved his record to 41-8-2.

Holyfield has fought three times in this Gulf Coast city, all wins. His last fight here 21 years ago turned out to be a tuneup for his first world championship, a 15-round decision over Dwight Qawi for the WBA cruiserweight title in July 1986.

Holyfield is again vying for a world title, one he hopes will be unified. But his bid comes less than three years after New York boxing officials revoked his license to fight in that state, citing diminished skills. And his name has been linked to a nationwide investigation of illicit steroid and human growth hormone sales. He insists he’s never used any illegal or banned performance-enhancing drugs, a claim he reiterated this week.

Holyfield, ranked 10th among heavyweights in the latest WBC ratings, began his comeback last year with two wins, both in Texas. He says he has overcome shoulder and back injuries he blames for a three-fight losing streak that appeared to mark the end of his career in November 2004.