What dazzling Josh Kelly thought of his brilliant win in Belfast

Josh Kelly leaves Jos Luis Ziga hurt on the ropes. PIcture by LAWRENCE LUSTIG/ MATCHROOM

Sunderland's 2016 Olympian is a man in a hurry as he proved again in Belfast last night when he stopped the "tough" José Luis Zúñiga in the second round of their international welterweight contest.

Kelly, desperate for honours in boxing after just a handful of pro bouts, took the scalp of the Mexican champion just one minute, 41 seconds of round two for his fourth straight victory.

The intervention of John Morey looked unfair on the 28-year-old, who had been unbeaten for over three years and had never been stopped, but 'Pretty Boy' again looked a million dollars in that short appearance at the SSE Arena.

"I started sharp and caught him off guard," Kelly told Sky Sports Main Event following his third straight early finish.

"Personally I felt the stoppage was a bit sharp, but the referee is in there and he sees the punches up close.

"I can only do what I can do in there and I was buzzing to box in front of the Belfast crowd. It was great being out there.

"José's the Mexican champion and had never been stopped.

"I don't really look too much into the records, but he was brought in to give us a hard eight rounds, he was here to win.

"He was very tough, with a very hard head, I was hurting my hands on his head.

"I think he could have carried on, but it is what it and it was a good night's work."

Kelly was in charge from the off on the undercard of stablemate Ryan Burnett 's triumph over Zhanat Zhakiyanov in the IBF/ WBA bantamweight unification showdown.

The 23-year-old moved well while keeping a good guard when he was in Zúñiga's range.

But when he landed he did so in clinical fashion, a right upper cut wobbling his opponent.

Kelly landed some short, sharp lefts to Zúñiga's head and a left-right combination with Jose getting some respite when he lost his gumshield, his corner taking an eternity to replace it.

But the respite was only temporary as he was stung by a long left just before the bell.

After dominating the first three minutes, the skilful Ryhope mover was just as accurate in the second round, his sharp left fist finding the target again and again.

He forced Zúñiga onto the ropes, delivering three shots to the Mexican's head, one did not connect but the other two got through, prompting Mr Morey to step in.