Hosea Burton scored a knockdown after just 6 seconds as he produced a punch-perfect performance to beat Bob Ajisafe in the Golden Contract tournament.
The 31-year-old, having endured a frustrating spell following his sole defeat to Frank Buglioni, kick-started his career in dominant fashion, taking scores of 99-90, 99-92 and 98-91 to beat fellow former British champion Ajisafe.
Burton could not have made a better start at the Brentwood Centre, dropping ‘Lionheart’ with a right hand within 6 seconds to immediately take control.
From there, the Joe Gallagher-trained man, like a coiled spring with exceptional reflexes, remained composed , working off a stabbing jab to regularly plant home one-twos and straight rights down the pipe.
Ajisafe tried to pour it on late, but Burton, having learned from past mistakes, was in no mood to engage and wheeled away with victory assured.
Speaking afterwards, ‘The Hammer’ said: “Ajisafe is tricky for anybody, he put Tony Bellew down before.
“I out-boxed him tonight. I came out with a one-two and caught him clean.
“For me, that was the final, he was the joint-favourite, it’s not going to be a bad tournament this.”