WATCH - First punch knockout

WATCH - First punch knockout

There was a time when world title fights in boxing were scheduled for 15 rounds. Title fights were reduced to 12 rounds in the 1980s in a bid to make the sport safer.

Knockout

Our own Brian Mitchell first won the WBA junior lightweight title in a fight scheduled for 15 rounds back in 1986.


Mitchell needed just nine rounds to take the title from the late Alfredo Layne at Sun City.


Mitchell did not possess a hugely powerful punch, but was a busy fighter who tended to wear down his opponent in the course of the fight.


Mitchell was well suited to the 15-round distance, but later also proved effective after the WBA reduced title fights to 12 rounds.


Today we look at a fight that lasted only a few seconds as James Thunder lived up to his name with a thunderous punch.

(Photo: Youtube)


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