Peckham fighter Johnny Garton was crowned English welterweight king on Saturday night after knocking out Ryan Fields in the fourth round of their title clash.
The 29-year-old picked out a devastating left hook that shook Fields to his toes, and the Derby man was immediately counted out after hitting the canvas at York Hall.
Garton said: “It is still sinking in. The fight went better than planned, we were expecting a long hard night and I wouldn’t maybe get to him until the eight or ninth rounds and maybe even lose the first few rounds to get there.
“But by the third round I was in my rhythm and it felt like I could do what I wanted in there, I still don’t know where that punch came from, it was a peach, and the fight was over.”
Garton is now one step closer to a British title after his weekend win, something he said would fulfil a long held boxing dream.
The ex-Lynn ABC man told the News: “When I started out as a pro [aged 24] I just wanted to give it a go and see where it takes me, essentially so I would have no regrets in the future.
“Then I was happy to just fight for the Southern Area title and in my mind I thought I would get to 30 and maybe pack up.”
He added: “But it seems that British title fight I dreamed of is now closer to a reality, I guess if I keep going the money will come from the sport but that is not why I do it.
“I do it for the love of boxing it is still my dream to fight for that British title and I will fight anywhere for it.
“I saw Bradley’s [Skeete, Garton’s stable mate] British title belt and I could not stop staring at it. I know world titles are bigger but for me that is the best belt there is and I hope I get my chance to win one.”
Garton has now picked up five stoppages in his last seven bouts, something that has surprised the Peckham man himself.
He said: “I still don’t consider myself a puncher but I have been getting the stoppages as I come up against better opponents.
“I have always thought the better the opponent the better I am, as they try and throw punches and leave openings. Against journeyman I can’t get those chances and stoppages.”