Joe Pigford took a step up in class but produced the same old result as he demolished Gergo Veri.

The 21-year-old Southampton welterweight has a growing reputation as a real prospect, and one that packs plenty of power.

Even after just a handful of professional fights Pigford has found it hard to get opponents, such is the fear factor surrounding him while still at the learning stage of his career.

He and his team opted to take on an opponent with a winning record in the shape of Veri who went into the contest in Swindon with 13 wins and just four defeats to his name.

However, it made little difference to Pigford.

He produced a sharp display of boxing to pick off his Hungarian opponent at will in the first round before putting him down with a right hook to the body in the second.

The fight continued briefly but a flurry of punches from Pigford forced the referee to stop the contest and make it six wins from six pro fights with five by stoppage.

Pigford’s trainer, Wayne Batten, said: “From my point of view it was someone with a winning record which is a little bit of a step up for him but his boxing skills were the best I have seen from him. Even though it didn’t go that long he was really accurate with his punches.

“It was the first time for him boxing away from Southampton, he boxed on someone else’s promotion and had a day before weigh in so all these little things were good experience for him and little positives.

“We will now look to try and get him out again as quickly as possible and maybe get him some TV exposure.”