Sexton powers to English title with breathtaking KO

Hot prospect Ashley 'Flash Ash' Sexton delivered in spectacular style on Friday night with a staggering knockout punch in the first round of his English flyweight title fight with Usman Ahmed at the Brentwood centre in Essex. It was the sort of punch that draws stunned gasps of disbelief from the crowd, and then an immediate desire to see it again and again. From every angle. Then in slow-mo. Then again. The sort of punch that could have derailed a freight train. The sort of punch that threatened to knock out ringside observers just by proxy. The sort of punch that could comfortably headline any showreel or compilation of knockout punches released this year, next year, or any year for the rest of time because yes, it was that earth-shatteringly devastating. I mean jaw to the floor monstrous. Am I going over the top? Good, because I'm probably still not doing it justice.

The fight always looked like being an exciting one. Two big-talking, flashy flyweights, former amateur foes, a title on the line, the stage was neatly set. In reality though, it excelled itself, on every level. Ahmed made his way to the ring in typically extrovert fashion, donning some kind of RnB rap-star necklace with 'UZZY' on and dancing bizarrely in the kind of inept fashion even John Sergeant would have been embarrassed by. Sexton, in contrast, looked focused and purposeful yet relaxed as he made his way to the ring. However, barely had he placed one foot on the ring apron before Ahmed had darted across the ring to confront him. Struggling through the ropes with Ahmed hovering over him, Sexton instantly sprung up to face off with his aggressor. And so the bout was set, fighters eyeball to eyeball before the bell had even rung.

It was a bright start too, Sexton looking assured and confident, quickly taking up centre ring and firing in sharp jabs as Ahmed looked to move and counter on the back foot. A snappy combination from Sexton backed Ahmed up against the ropes and Sexton took advantage, landing a crisp left. Cheers rang out from the popular Cheshunt fighter's ample and voracious support and the 22 year-old began to warm to the task, landing more shots with Ahmed on the ropes again. Ahmed waved him on though, looking game and unfazed, as you might expect from a fighter who's been the distance with former British and Commonwealth champion Chris Edwards. But then came the punch. Walking Ahmed down, Sexton had his man backpedalling into the corner of the ring. Ahmed looked to exchange, but Sexton had set him up for this, and so threw the overhand right that detonated so thunderously on Ahmed's chin. It was an immediate KO blow, Ahmed falling almost between the ropes onto the canvas and the referee instantly waving the fight off.

Thankfully, after a few worrying moments, Ahmed, now 6(0)-3-1, rose to his feet, and looked ok. Cue wild celebrations from the Sexton support and Ashley Sexton himself - the new English flyweight champion. It was a hugely impressive win for Sexton, now 9(5)-0, who had said in the build-up he was looking for a knock out. Well, he delivered on that promise in some style and now has two first round stoppage wins in his last two fights. It's not just the power though that's making this former England international amateur such a promising fighter. He's beginning to show the poise and authority in the ring that you see only in the very best fighters. Nothing is rushed and little is wasted as he stalks opponents around the ring. Add to that the speed and power he possesses and it makes for one hell of a fighter.

Sexton has started 2010 with a bang then, or rather, a seismic explosion, and no doubt the talk will all be about more titles from now on. Certainly, the British title currently held by Shinny Bayaar is a realistic goal for Sexton this year, maybe very soon and that is a fight there is bound to be an audience for. Whatever happens, fans should expect big things from this talented young fighter in the coming months and years.