A Welsh bare-knuckle boxer has become a star in the United States, after winning his first Stateside fight with a brutal knockout after just 15 seconds.
Barrie Jones, a father of two from Ferndale, produced an explosive early salvo of punches to see off 40-year-old American fighter Luiz Melo in the opening round of their fight at 'Tis the Season to Brawl', which was held at the 4,500-capacity James L.Knight Center in Miami on Friday night.
The bout was part of efforts to pit fighters from British-based company BKB against American counterparts BYB, two of the biggest names in bare-knuckle boxing, which despite its brutality is one of the world's fastest-growing combat sports.
Jones, who'd won all five of his previous fights by knockout before journeying across the Atlantic, landed a flurry of early hits onto the chin of Melo, quickly sending him onto the canvas.
Melo initially managed to rise to his feet, but was visibly dazed, with his legs quickly collapsing underneath him to send tumbling down once more.
That was enough for the referee to immediately stop the fight, and hand victory to the man known as the 'Welsh Wrecking Machine', who admitted after the fight that even he was a little surprised at how quickly it was all over.
Speaking after his victory, Jones said: "The plan was to come in and take it quite slow but he dragged me straight into a fight and that was it.
"It's been amazing. Everyone's been great to us. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"There's a fight I want in BKB. I won't say now, but that's the fight I want."
Paulie Malignaggi, the former two-weight boxing champion, who once fought Ricky Hatton, was one of those left seriously impressed by the Welshman's performance, which he hopes is the first of many in front of an American audience.
“He was sensational," he said.
"I want to see him again. “He really exploded onto the scene.
“Melo is known as a durable guy and Barrie Jones just evaporated him.”
