TARTAN TORNADO Josh Taylor waited 11 months for a world title defence and blasted Apinun Khongsong out inside 160 seconds.
The 29-year-old southpaw star became the unified boxing super-lightweight king back in October with an iconic win over American Regis Prograis.
Josh Taylor dismantled Apinun Khongsong with a first-round KO in his first world title defenceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Taylor needed just 160 seconds to win the boutCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
And he is waiting on a career-defining undisputed decider with WBC and WBO champ Jose Ramirez next year.
The Scot described the undefeated Thai hardman – who arrived in London with a scary 16-0 record and 13 KOs – as a giant hurdle in the way of his dreams.
But Taylor blitzed him with his first serious punch of the night that left the arena stunned.
Khonsong looked impressive when he stripped off for the 10st York Hall clash.
And he threw a couple of purposeful right hands in the opening two minutes.
But when the pair clinched on the ropes, Taylor cocked his left hand and thundered a hook into the challenger’s ribs that left him crippled with pain and wriggling around on the floor.
Ringside pundits David Haye and Carl Frampton were as confused as the press pack on the balcony by what looked like a phantom punch.
But replays showed it was a magnificent punch that connected with the 27-year-old’s unguarded torso.
Taylor is gearing up for a fight with WBC and WBO champ Jose Ramirez next yearCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
And he folded into the canvas before being carried out of the ring on a stretcher.
Earlier in the night ex fly-weight champ Charlie Edwards announced his comeback with a one-sided points win over Kyle Williams.
The Sheffield-based ace is targeting a second world title reign at super-fly after dropping his crown last year after the weight cut became too brutal.
Josh Taylor training with Tyson Fury’s ex-coach Ben Davison after split from Shane McGuigan
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
