Jai Opetaia sensationally stopped Ellis Zorro in round one of their cruiserweight bout on the Day of Reckoning card.
The fight was set to be one of two world title bouts on the Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia, but that was changed last minute.
Opetaia dropped his hard-fought IBF world title after the sanctioning body would not permit him to fight anyone other than the man he won it from, Mairis Briedis, in a mandatory defence.
Despite both parties agreeing to have the fight in February, the IBF did not budge, and the 28-year-old carred only his Ring Magazine belt to the ring.
If anything, the frustration made his performance even more lethal. Zorro entered the ring undefeated in 17, but facing far and away the toughest test of his career.
He landed a few shots of note in the opener as Opetaia moved masterfully around the ring, feinting and getting an idea of the distance.
With ten seconds left to go, a pitch-perfect left hook thrown from the hip of Opetaia laid Zorro flat out, his head landing on the bottom rope and the contest over immediately.
Thankfully, the Brit made it up for the result to be made official. Opetaia’s 24th victory, 19th knockout and confirmation that he is the best cruiserweight in the world and a threat for years to come.