Jump directly to the content
BENN THERE, DONE THAT

Conor Benn destroys Lukas Radic with first-round KO to secure third straight professional win

Son of former champion Nigel Benn had another easy night at the office at London's O2 Arena on Saturday

CONOR BENN notched his third pro victory with an explosive stoppage of Lukas Radic.

Benn, 19, had promised to steer clear of a tear-up and let his boxing skills do the talking.

 Conor Benn secured his third straight victory with a stunning stoppage against Lukas Radic
9
Conor Benn secured his third straight victory with a stunning stoppage against Lukas RadicCredit: Getty Images
 Benn lands an explosive left hand that sent Radic crashing to the canvas
9
Benn lands an explosive left hand that sent Radic crashing to the canvasCredit: Getty Images

And he delivered in style in the first round, flooring the Czech with a left hook before securing the knockout with a crunching right hand.

The super-lightweight, son of former two-weight world champion Nigel, was happy with the clinical and controlled performance.

He said: "I've shown I can fight and it was time to take my time and start learning to box.

"It'll blend together eventually and let's see what it can be. I listened to my trainer — and that's the only criticism I accept.

"Having made my debut here, The O2 is starting to feel like home. Performing in front of this crowd is unbelievable."

 Benn turns away to celebrate his third straight professional victory
9
Benn turns away to celebrate his third straight professional victoryCredit: Getty Images
 Radic is attended to after he was brutally knocked out by Benn
9
Radic is attended to after he was brutally knocked out by BennCredit: Reuters
 Benn has made an impressive start to his boxing career as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his dad Nigel
9
Benn has made an impressive start to his boxing career as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his dad NigelCredit: Reuters

The display impressed retired super-middleweight king Carl Froch, who was watching from ringside.

Froch said: "I was happy to see him take his time. It was a devastating finish but it was cool, calm and calculated.

"He was picking his shots and working around his jab. But when he knew he had his opponent where he wanted him, he took the chance."

Meanwhile, ANTHONY OGOGO maintained his unblemished record with a rapid victory over Frane Radic.

 Anthony Ogogo celebrates his smooth victory over Croatian Frane Radic of Croatia at The O2
9
Anthony Ogogo celebrates his smooth victory over Croatian Frane Radic of Croatia at The O2Credit: Getty Images

Middleweight Ogogo, 27, bossed the first round and floored Radic with a crunching left hook just before the bell.

The Croat got back to his feet but quit on his stool at the end of the session.

Ogogo said: "Radic had never been stopped and I went in there and did it.

"I've got total confidence in my body and even more confidence in myself mentally."

Ogogo has now chalked up ten victories since making his pro debut in April 2013.

The last two years of his career have been hampered by injuries but he is finally building momentum after overcoming troublesome Achilles problems and a dislocated shoulder.

 Brit hope Ogogo pounds Radic on the way to an another impressive win
9
Brit hope Ogogo pounds Radic on the way to an another impressive winCredit: Reuters

Victory over Radic, 32, came hot on the heels of last month's stoppage of Gary Cooper in Glasgow.

The Olympic bronze medallist added: "I'm punching harder than ever now because I can actually train.

"My career is going to be like on old British steam train. It's taken a while to get going but we'll soon be chugging and chugging away.

"Like I said in Glasgow, they're all terracotta soldiers to me. Whoever you put in front of me, I'll beat them."

In contrast, DILLIAN WHYTE endured a frustrating night on his return from injury but got the job done against Ivica Bacurin.

 Dillian Whyte forces Ivica Bacurin against the ropes on his way to a tough triumph
9
Dillian Whyte forces Ivica Bacurin against the ropes on his way to a tough triumphCredit: Getty Images

Whyte, 28, had not boxed since undergoing shoulder surgery after being stopped by Anthony Joshua in December.

And he had to wait until the sixth round before putting away his Croatian opponent, who frustrated him throughout by holding.

A right to the body was followed by an overhand upstairs and Bacurin made no attempt to beat the count — much to Whyte's disgust.

The Brixton heavyweight said: “It was alright but the guy didn’t come to fight.

 Whyte sends Bacurin tumbling during one of the night's show-stopping moments
9
Whyte sends Bacurin tumbling during one of the night's show-stopping momentsCredit: Getty Images

"I got six rounds and my fitness felt good. It was about getting that confidence of throwing the shoulder again.

"My left hook wasn't going off as much as I wanted but it is what it is.

"I worked on something different. My trainer Mark Tibbs told me to step up the tempo and hit him with combinations.

"I was looking for the big right hands in the fight, which I'm annoyed at."