Dmitriy Salita’s WBA light-welterweight title challenge ended in 76 dramatic seconds in Newcastle as holder Amir Khan produced the most sensational performance of his career.
The 27-year-old was knocked down three times, the first by a lightning left-right combination within 15 seconds of the opening bell at the Metro Radio Arena.
A dazed Salita never recovered and was subjected to a further barrage that saw him collapse to one knee after a devastating left had sent him reeling across the ring.
Salita, a Ukrainian émigré who was previously unbeaten in 31 bouts, is an Orthodox Jew who studies at a Chabad Yeshiva in Brooklyn. A Star of David decorated his boxing shorts during the fight.
Afterwards, he insisted he could have continued had the fight not been stopped and blamed his style as a slow-starter.
“I guess that's one of the technical mistakes I made,” he told Sky Box Office. "He started faster than I anticipated; I was never really hurt - just kind of stunned - and the ref stopped the fight basically.
"I wasn't hurt, just stunned from the knockdowns. I think it was two... three? Three flash knockdowns and the referee did what he had to do. I'm OK."
He added: He has very quick hands. With the first knock down I just didn't see the punches coming and I guess that's what led to the subsequent knockdowns.”