Boxing: KO means Josh Taylor is still undefeated

Josh Taylor celebrates after victory over Lyes Chaibi in the Super-Lightweight Contest at Manchester Arena. Picture: Getty

Light welterweight Josh Taylor produced an effortless display to register the fourth consecutive knock-out of his professional career at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night.

Fighting on the undercard of Carl Frampton’s unified IBF and WBA world super bantamweight title showdown with Scott Quigg, a duel that saw Belfast’s Frampton win by a split decision in a bout that left his opponent nursing a broken jaw, Taylor, 25, easily disposed of Frenchman Lyes Chaibi just 22 seconds into the  second round.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist was flawless from the first bell and never looked in any danger of losing his undefeated record since leaving the amateur ranks last summer to sign up with former world super featherweight champion Barry McGuigan.

Chaibi, with 14 wins to his name, went the way of Taylor’s previous conquests Archie Weah, Adam Mate and Daniel Cosmin Minescu when the fight came alive in the second round as Taylor delivered a looping left hook that sent Chaibi crashing to the canvas.

He appeared eager to continue but the referee brought the bout to a halt.

Taylor said: “I just take one fight at a time. I just try to improve myself everyday in the gym. Hopefully I’ll be pushing on the door by the end of this year for a domestic title.”