Kingston boxer Danny Parsons secured a successful third defence of his Queensbury Boxing League southern area lightweight title, but it was nothing more than he expected.
 

The 19-year-old former Teddington School student floored Camberley’s Kingsley Stembridge in the opening round of the fight at Epsom racecourse on Saturday.
 

But is was not until the second round that the challenger was eventually stopped, when he was issued with a standing count after a hail of punches left him unsteady on his feet.
 

And Parsons admitted the quick finish was what he had targeted all along.
 

“I’d been training so hard for a knockout in this fight, and I’m really pleased I was able to get it and make the type of statement I wanted,” he said.
 

“He looked nervous at the weigh in, so I knew he was either going to come straight at me or keep it long, so I wasn’t surprised when he came charging out.
 

“But he did me a favour because he opened himself right up and made it easier for me to land my shots.”
 

Parsons, who became a father for the first time this year, is looking forward to making a fourth defence of his belt in November.
 

“I’m just going to have a few weeks off from the gym to rest,” he added.
 

“But then I’m going to be straight back in to it to be ready before Christmas.”