Boxer Jeff Saunders wins again by knock-out against Ivailo Boyanov

The Sedgefield boxer last night made it two wins out of two as a professional with his second KO.

Saunders needed just one minute, 39 seconds to stop Ivailo Boyanov when he topped the bill at Dunston last night.

That was 41 seconds faster than when the same referee, Steve Hawkins, took charge of the 23-year-old’s debut just across the Tyne in Newcastle last month.

Saunders required 140 seconds to demolish Hungary’s Sandor Racz at the Metro Radio Arena but blitzed the Bulgarian last night in a whisker under 100.

To say Saunders is exciting is an understatement.

Like the former South Durham ABC star, his opponent, from Bulgaria, had boxed only once as a pro but, like the home star, arrived in the North East with a good pedigree as an amateur.

However, Boyanov’s reputation counted for nought at the Lancastrian Suite as he was blown away in explosive fashion.

But for all the ruthless finish, Saunders did not rush.

A right to the body and a left to the head was an early marker for the former paratrooper.

But it was a violent assault to the Eastern European’s body which brought an end to the fight, which had been scheduled for four rounds on the Steve Wraith-promoted event.

A flurry of vicious body punches sent Boyanov to the floor in his own corner. He recovered enough to kneel when Mr Hawkins reached five in his count and at nine seemed to consider getting up.

But he stayed down, sparking scenes of joy for Saunders and his supporters at the Gateshead venue.

“All that hard work for two minutes,” laughed the boxer as dad Jeff cut the tape off his gloves in the changing room.

“Seriously, it’s been worth it and I’d like to thank my coaches, my dad, Jeff, Mark McGuinness and my strength and conditioning coach Ian Glass, for getting me in the powerful shape I’m in.

“We’ve got a nice thing going, that’s two wins from two, and both in the first round. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Saunders hopes to be back in action in July, on a big Matchroom promotion in Manchester.

“I’ve spoken to [promoter] Eddie Hearn and it looks like I’ll be on the undercard of that show which is great,” he said.

“I need as many fights as I can get to build my experience.”

Meanwhile, Las Vegas is braced for the fight of the century as Floyd Mayweather takes on Manny Pacquiao.

And showman Mayweather says the two greats will deliver in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

“This fight is not good versus evil,” said the undefeated American.

“It’s about one fighter who is at the top fighting another fighter who is at the top.

“It’s about giving excitement.”