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World champion Josh Taylor knocked out Apinun Khongsong in an incredible first round to defend his WBA and IBF light welterweight titles.
The 29-year-old Scotsman hit the Thai fighter with a left hand punch to the body to send the undefeated 24-year-old collapsing to the mat.
Khongsong was carried out of the ring at York Hall in London on a stretcher.
The Scotsman is now approaching a world unification bout with WBO and WBC champion José Ramírez.
“I felt it [the punch] sinking immediately, “Taylor told BT Sport.
“I didn’t know it had hurt so bad until I saw him on the ground.
“He [Khongsong] He was the heaviest puncher I’ve ever been with. I could feel the weight of its power. That motivated me to take my time and be patient.
“It was a great opportunity, but I wish I could have shown what we’ve been working on in the gym. But you don’t get paid overtime. I can go get a pint and a pizza.”
It took just two minutes and 41 seconds for the competition to end, with Taylor’s fierce hook to the stomach, the Prestonpans fighter’s first real punch.
Instead, it was the largely unknown but undefeated challenger who started on the front foot.
Both men came into the fight unscathed after 16 fights, with Khongsong, 13 knockouts to his name, fighting outside of Asia for the first time. Without a partisan crowd there to cheer Taylor on, there was an air of the unknown to the challenge he would face.
Early exchanges suggested that it can be tricky. The Bangkok man seemed animated, and Taylor was forced to be patient as his opponent tried to take the lead. However, it didn’t take long for the time of the world champion to come.
With his opponent on the ropes and his guard high and a right hook missing his target, the Scotsman landed a hard hit to the ribs. There was little delay when Khongsong slid to the ground.
There was little response from him as he writhed on the deck during the count, Taylor standing in the opposite corner, arms outstretched.
And as it should. The fight of your dreams is now almost at hand. Ramírez, and a truly iconic contest, is at hand.
“I want José Ramírez next, 100%,” he added. “He’s a very good champion, hungry like me, at the top of his game. I want that fight now; I feel like I’ve gotten over it.
“I’ve never dodged anyone, but to be honest I prefer to wait until the fans come back, a fight of that magnitude would be better in front of a crowd.”
