Daniel Dubois scores one-punch knockout over Bogdan Dinu

It’s been a long seven months for heavyweight Daniel Dubois.

Toppled from his undefeated perch by English rival Joe Joyce, Dubois was back in the ring at Telford International Centre in Telford, England Saturday night for the first time since his loss - facing big Romanian heavyweight Bogdan Dino.

Dubois needed less than three minutes to knock out Dino to the relief of himself and his corner.

In the opening round, Dubois (16-1, 15 KOs) stuck his jab in Dino’s face. Dino, somehow ranked number #4 by the WBA, fired a few choppy right hands. Dubois went to the body and head effectively. Seconds into round two, as Dino (20-3, 16 KOs) drifted into the ropes, Dubois landed a cracking right hand that dropped Dino on his back. Dino struggled to get up but was unable to beat the fatal 10 count.

The official time was 31 seconds into round two.

“It’s been a rough ride,” said a smiling Dubois minutes after the fight ended. “I’m glad to be back. I want to get back in the mix. We’re going to get there. I listened to what Shane told me."

“It was a fantastic performance,” said McGuigan.

Undercard Results:

Hometown hero Nathan Heaney (12-0, 4 KOs) stopped Iliyan Markov (6-15-2, 3 KOs) with a body shot in round three. Middleweight Heaney was in control from the opening bell. The likable fighter wants to test himself against a more skilled opponent in his next fight.

Time was 2:13 seconds.

Light heavyweight Tommy Fury (6-0, 4 KOs) outworked Jordan Grant (2-0, 0 KOs) over four rounds. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 for Fury.

Classy prospect Caoimhin Agyarko (9-0, 6 KOs) beat up and stopped overmatched Ernesto Olvera (11-7-1, 3 KOs) after three rounds. Agyarko was never threatened.

Slick English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (9-0, 4 KOs) stopped Stefan Slavchev (11-39-2, 4 KOs) in two rounds. The fight was completely one-sided. Slavchev entered the match having lost seven fights in a row.

Featherweight Adan Mohamed won his second fight without a loss by outpointing Luke Fash (2-60-2, 0 KOs) over four rounds. Fash hasn’t won a fight in five years.