Joe Joyce started a new era in his career in dominant fashion - and instantly set his sights on a world title.
Joyce, who has relocated back to the UK after a stint with America and linked up with top trainer Adam Booth, thrashed Alexander Ustinov in his first fight under new promoter Frank Warren.
The former Olympic silver medalist dominated the opening exchanges before a vicious right hook to stop the giant in the third round on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders vs Sefat Isufi in Stevange.
Joyce is now looking to break into the upper echelons of the heavyweight division after moving his unblemished career to 9-0.
The 33-year-old could now face European champion Agit Kabayel on July 13 - but he says he is eyeing a world title before the end of 2019.
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"I would like a world title by the end of the year and to set myself up for some really big fights in 2020," Joyce told BT Sport immediately after his win.
It was a comfortable night of work for Joyce against Ustinov in Stevenage despite rumours of illness earlier in the day.
He had been tipped to face Daniel Dubois next before the rising prospect announced he would take on unbeaten Nathan Gorman on the July 13 date when Joyce will next appear.
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The former amateur standout has previously voiced his desire to take on former Team GB teammate Anthony Joshua in the future - and claimed he knows how to beat the world champion.
“It’s a 50-50 fight between me and Joshua and it’s going to happen sooner or later.
“I’ve taken a lot of confidence from our spars. We’re talking in the hundreds of rounds that we did on GB, maybe more.
"I’ve learned more since then and I’m sure he has as well so it would be a great fight at some stage.
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“I’ve probably done more rounds with him than anyone in the world other than Frazer Clarke. It would be hard for him to come up with any surprises, I know his strengths and weaknesses.
"I know what I’d have to do – I know how to beat him.
“It’s something I’ve thought about a lot. I think it’s always there in the back of my mind.
"It was always quite competitive between us on the GB set up. He qualified first and got on the squad first so I felt like I was always playing catch up with him then and I am now again we are pros.”
