KYLE Smith needed just 72 seconds to win his second professional contest at Mossley Mill in Newtownabbey on Saturday night.
The former Holy Trinity ABC super-welterweight caught Paul Cummings flush with a left hook and referee Hugh Russell junior waved it off with the England-based journeyman in no position to continue.
Smith, who made his debut on the Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan Windsor Park card in September, moved to 2-0 with the win. If there is a downside to such a spectacular success it’s that he didn’t bank the rounds he needs at this early stage of his professional career but Smith will take the victory and look ahead to the next challenge.
“It couldn’t have gone much better,” he said.
“I wish it had gone on a bit longer but it was all over just over the minute mark. I had a few first round stoppages in the amateurs before but that was obviously my first stoppage as a professional.
“I’m in the building phase of my career and I need the rounds but the shots were coming together even though I was still in first gear. I’ve been in first gear as a professional so far.”
Working with coach Dan Boyle, Smith knows much tougher test lie ahead and he is determined to keep training hard as he looks to kick on in his career. He juggles a full-time job with Belfast City Council with the life of a professional boxer and the Mark Dunlop-managed fighter hopes to be back in action in February next year.
On the undercard in Newtownabbey, there were wins for Belfast’s Hijjah McMahon who moved to 3-0 with a points win over Owen Durnan at welterweight.
Earlier, Newry’s Cathal Jennings out-pointed Matthew King to record his second win as a professional and Tyrone lightweight Charles McDonagh moved to 3-0 with a points win over Casey Bradnum.
In the opener, Oisin Dunlop – nephew of former Ireland international, professional fighter and coach and Belfast Kronk ABC boxing guru Tony Dunlop – marked his debut with a shutout points win against Connor Meanwell.
