Three wins in three for David Avanesyan in Spain
David Avanesyan (26-3-1) may have set up a mouth-watering match-up with Josh Kelly after a sensational first round knockout win over Jose del Rio (29-9-1).
The Russian-born fighter, who is trained by Carl Greaves and managed by Neil Marsh, needed just two minutes to put the experienced Spaniard on the canvas in Barcelona, during the launch of Matchroom Spain.
From the first bell, the 31-year-old Russian was the aggressor, catching del Rio with a sharp temple shot after just 70 seconds.
The home fighter, a Spanish welterweight champion, was rocked more than once and Avanesyan pounced, throwing a mixture of shots to both body and head.
The 34-year-old from Palma de Mallorca was finished with just less than a minute left on the clock in the opening round.
It was 'Ava's' third win of the 2019 and his second defence of his EBU welterweight title, all in Spain and all with the European belt on the line, which he won from unbeaten powerhouse Kerman Lejarraga (then 27-0) in March.
It means that the former WBA World welterweight champion hasn't lost this year, since his 2018 defeat to unbeaten Egidijus Kavaliauskas, who clashes with Terence Crawford this weekend.
The talented 147-pounder now looks for a world title shot in 2020 and mouthwatering showdown with Josh Kelly.