Sunday 22 May 2016 09:26, UK
Shannon Briggs made an victorious UK debut, knocking out Emilio Ezequiel Zarate to close in on a David Haye showdown.
The former world heavyweight champion racked up the 36th opening-round finish of his rollercoaster career.
Briggs (60-6-1-KO56) is now expected to get a shot at fellow former title holder Haye, who was topping the bill on Saturday night at The O2.
'Let's Go Champ' was echoing around the arena out as Briggs stepped into the ring for his first fight in Britain, but Zarate - who was a late call-up only four days prior to the fight - was never going to make it a drawn-out UK debut for the Brooklyn-born heavyweight.
The first combination Briggs threw saw the Argentine forced to take a knee, a left hook landing and a simple straight right sending him down to regain his breath as the count reached eight.
England... I love you. I'm here to stay. They can't get rid of me. David Haye - when I see you, I'm knocking you out cold. Let's go champ.
From then on Briggs barely needed to use his jab and a number of single shots showed that at even at the age of 44, 'The Cannon' still picks his punches with power and precision.
A well-timed left-right-left combination landed then, with the clock not even reaching the final minute and with Zarate struggling to stay up, Briggs closed in for the KO.
A vicious short, sharp left to the body put his opponent flat on his back and with 50 seconds left in the first round, Briggs was soon celebrating - as only he can - his 60th professional win.
"England... I love you," he told Dave TV after snatching the microphone. "I'm here to stay. They can't get rid of me. David Haye - when I see you, I'm knocking you out cold. Let's go champ."
