Catford boxer Joshua Nelson kicked off his professional career in fine style on Saturday with a stunning first round knockout victory over Todor Boyadjiev at the York Hall.

The 26-year-old, who hails from the talent-packed Pro SW Gym in Essex, put in a fine, mature presentation to defeat his Bulgarian opponent.

He commented after the fight: “My game plan was for everything to come off my jab.

“I jabbed to the body and upstairs to get him confused and just kept doing that and putting my right hand behind it.

“He was coming in a bit and I caught him with a left hook that hurt him because he backed off and then I saw my opportunity and took him out; I’ve got great power in both hands.”

Nelson, trained by Carl Lokko, alongside Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental lightweight champion Richard Commey, became the first opponent to stop the boxer from Sofia.

“It was a left hook landing on his chin that took him out,” he added.

“My left hook is my money shot, I’ve always had a big left hook even in the amateurs.

“I used a right to the body to set him up then threw the left hook to the head.”

The 135-pounder received sound advice from his hard-hitting Ghanaian training partner who has 20 knockouts from 22 contests.

He explained: “Commey told me, don’t look for the knockout, as long as you keep punching him and connecting then it will come.

“I wasn’t nervous going in, I just had a lot of confidence with all the training I had been doing with Commey, and he told me to just relax and don’t let the occasion get to me.”

The Londoner had a big crowd in attendance on the memorable night.

“I had great support, the venue was packed and the atmosphere was wicked,” he said.

“Since the fight, I’ve had a load of people friend requesting me on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.

“For everyone asking about next fight, I’ve got to confirm it still but hopefully late November.”

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