Joe Pigford’s demolition derby continued as he secured a sixth knockout win in seven fights with a dramatic first-round stoppage of Lewis van Poetsch.

The 21-year-old Southampton welterweight has been out of action for ten months after two injury setbacks, but roared back to form at York Hall in London.

Though Van Poetsch has a losing record he had only been stopped five times in 22 pro contests and was expected to give Pigford valuable rounds.

Pigford has struggled to get the experience he desperately needs to find his way in the paid ranks as he continually stops opponents, and the same thing happened again.

His power was far too much for Van Poetsch and what was slated to be a six-rounder was all over in just one minute and 47 seconds.

Pigford first floored his opponent with a body shot and a hook to the head. Van Poetsch beat the count but the fight was ended moments later as a quick one-two finished with a right hand directly on his chin.

It took Pigford’s perfect record to seven wins from seven, with six stoppages.

His trainer, Wayne Batten, said: “Obviously after so long out we are delighted that Joe has got straight back to winning ways.

“Though obviously he stopped his opponent quite early he started well in terms of his boxing and was looking good but again he just had too much power.

“We have got to keep working with him and get him some top quality sparring as it is hard in terms of fights because he has such power that he keeps stopping people.

“This was meant to be a step up but like the last six-rounder he was scheduled to have it was over in the early stages.”

It is getting increasingly hard for Pigford to get matched.

At just 21 he needs experience and rounds to learn more about the game, but all the fighters he might face during that stage of his career will just get bombed out quickly, and most of them will avoid him.

To step him considerably in class to a level where that might not happen would expose him to great risk at the fledgling stage of his career.

“We do have a meeting with a top promoter coming up who is interested in working with Joe,” reported Batten.

“If that comes off then he will get regular fights and that is exactly what he needs.

“At this stage of his career he can be fighting very regularly as far as I’m concerned. I want him to get that experience rather than just rush him on because he keeps stopping people.

“People forget that Joe is only 21. Boxing is all about timing and we need to manage him carefully and correctly to get the best out of his talent.”

Pigford added: “It was another good win for me and I also want to say thanks to my supporters. More than 100 people made the trip up to London to support me, and Saints were at home too which meant a lot of them gave up going to the football, and they were brilliant for me again.”