Sunday 2 August 2015 12:27, UK
Dillian Whyte sent out a warning to Anthony Joshua with a destructive first-round win over Irineu Costa in Hull.
The Brixton man is set to face Joshua later in the year, with both heavyweights firstly due to appear on the same September 12 bill, and he gave his bitter rival a reminder of his punching power on Saturday night.
Whyte had been absent from the ring since February with a hand injury, but quickly found his range, sticking out a few probing jabs before unloading his heavy armoury at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
A crisp right forced Costa into reverse and Whyte quickly followed with a cuffing left, sending the Brazilian crashing backwards to the canvas.
Costa rose unsteadily and was deposited back to the floor by a booming right hand, prompting the referee to wisely wave it off as he clambered to his feet.
Whyte seemed almost irritated by the swift finish and possibly hoped for more rust-shedding rounds, but was pleased with his first fight under Johnathon Banks, the trainer of Wladimir Klitschko.
"As heavyweight prospects, a lot of us focus on power but Banks has made sure I don't overlook the basics," Whyte told Sky Sports 1.
"He wants me to relax, use my jab and the knockout will come. Once I hit him high on my temple, that was it."
Ricky Burns continued the rebuilding process with a bizarre fifth-round stoppage win over Prince Ofotsu.
The Scotsman, stepping back down to lightweight after a points loss to Omar Figueroa Jr, controlled every round, but both fighters appeared stunned when Ofotsu's corner suddenly threw in the towel.
Earlier in the night, Martin J Ward was forced to work for a unanimous points win over Spaniard Sergio Blanco.
The Brentwood man was originally set to face former world title challenger Daniel Diaz, who pulled out this week, and could not put a dent in late replacement Blanco.
Ward bothered Blanco with the occasional punch but was forced to settle for a 97-93 97-93 98-93 verdict.
