David Avanesyan walked through the brief challenge of Oskari Metz to retain his European welterweight title in less than one round tonight.
The Queensberry co-main event brought the debut of their latest signing against the Finnish challenger who couldn’t stand up to the power of the champion.
Metz walked to the ring smiling as the sound of ‘Express Yourself’ by Charles Wright & Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band accompanied him. Sadly, in the ring he never got the time to express himself in the ring. The Finn seemed happy to engage up close with the Armenian and almost got too comfortable until a left hand from the champion wobbled him with just under 90 seconds to go in the opener. Not a man to play with his food Avanesyan went to clean the plate and had his challenger down seconds later.
Despite having a smile on his face as he sat back up Metz was in trouble not long after. Avanesyan threw multiple hooks that sent his opponent staggering before referee Giuseppe Quartarone intervened to give him a standing eight count. That was enough time for the man in the middle to wave the fight off.
The WBC number two contender has now made five defences of his European crown and will hope to land a world title eliminator this year.
“He will definitely fight for a world title. I will make it happen,” said his promoter, Frank Warren.