LEO Atang came through his professional debut in blistering fashion, slicing through Bulgaria’s Milen Paunov like a hot knife through butter.
The amateur standout inked a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing earlier this year, and has now just ignited a promising career in the paid ranks.
With the 18-year-old turning over so soon, however, many have questioned whether several more years in the amateur ranks would have done his development a world of good.
But regardless, the Yorkshireman, dubbed ‘the next Anthony Joshua’ by Hearn, blitzed through the first round of his heavyweight contest earlier this evening.
Atang’s debut arrived on the undercard of Jack Catterall vs Harlem Eubank, kicking off the main card at the Manchester Arena, England.
Soon enough, the dynamic prospect found a home for his thumping left hook, attaching plenty of spite behind the shot when whipping it into his limited opponent’s body.
Unsurprisingly, there was just over a minute left of the opening round when Paunov touched the canvas, with referee Steve Gray waving the one-sided fight off moments later.
Judging by his brief display, it would seem that Atang possesses a level of athleticism which, in the land of the giants, remains hard to come by.
But of course, it is equally important to remember that the talent, who struts around with a heavy weight of expectation upon his shoulders, still has plenty to learn.
“The pressure – don’t get me wrong – it’s been a lot, but I’ve embraced it all, enjoyed it all, and hopefully impressed everyone out there tonight,” Atang said in his post-fight interview.
“I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous – it would be weird if I wasn’t. But I also feel like these nerves definitely helped me in there, they keep you switched on and focused.”
Hearn added: “I believe that is the start of the journey to the world heavyweight championship. There’s a long way to go, but I believe he can go all the way.”
