Tommy Welch hopes he has set himself up for a big 2024 after enjoying a quickfire pre-Christmas win.
The Brighton boxer knocked out Tarvel Jafarov from Azerbaijan in the first round of a bout in Dubai as part of the Jingle Bells Brawl bill.
Welch has dropped down from heavyweight to the 100kg bridgerweight and believes that can fit his physique and attributes perfectly.
After seeing a scheduled fight pulled at short notice in Dubai, he took on a tougher challenge against the vastly experienced Jafarov.
That test was passed with flying colours as a body shot ended the contest midway through the first round.
Welch is now ranked in the world’s top 15 by the WBC and looking at pushing for a title at bridgerweight in 2024.
Success followed his recent win before a Brighton crowd against Jonathan Vergara.
Welch, who is 13-0, will now take a short break but hopes to return to the ring in February.
A contact said: “He was very pleased with his performance.
“His punch selection was good and the knockout was clinical.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here