Daniel Dubois warmed up for his October showdown with Joe Joyce with a comfortable victory over Ricardo Snijders.
Having not fought since December, Dubois put away Snijders in typically swift fashion, sealing victory inside two rounds to extend his record to 15-0 behind closed doors at the BT Sport studios.
The 22-year-old Londoner has probably had tougher sparring sessions than the challenge put forward by the Dutchman. Dubois swarmed his opponent from the opening bell, flooring Snijders three times in the opening round - the first a shuddering hook to the body delivered right below the ribs.
A fourth knockdown came early in the second round, this time via a right hook, with the referee mercifully stepping in to bring the contest to a close.
Dubois and Joyce have seen their all-London heavyweight showdown postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic this year with a new date now beginning to shift into focus on October 24.
In Pictures | Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce | 07/02/20
Joyce, who had not fought in 12 months, took a tune-up fight in late July, blasting through Michael Wallisch inside three rounds.
And Dubois lived up to his side of the deal, barely breaking a sweat as he swept past Snijders, who was drafted in as a replacement for original opponent Eric Pfiefer 10 days ago.
Focus will now shift to that October date at the O2 Arena for a bout that will see the winner thrust into the world title picture in 2021.
Frank Warren remains hopeful boxing fans will be in attendance on the night. Spectators could return to sporting events across England on October 1 should test events continue to prove successful.
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Earlier on the card, Croydon's Sunny Edwards turned in an excellent performance to defend his IBF international super-flyweight title against Thomas Essomba.
Edwards' superb footwork and sharp counter punching saw him ease to a comfortable unanimous points win to move him closer to a world title shot.
Scottish sensation Willy Hutchinson blasted through Ben Thomas inside one round to extend his record to 11-0 with Sam Maxwell securing an unanimous decision win over Joe Hughes in a thrilling super-lightweight contest.
Another London heavyweight David Adeleye also impressed on the bill, extending his professional record to 3-0 after breaking down the durable Phil Williams in the third round.
23-year-old David Adeleye is first up tonight, looking to go 3-0 against Phil Williams.
The Ladbroke Grove heavyweight is highly-regarded by the likes of Tyson Fury, who he sparred with ahead of the 'Gypsy King's victory over Deontay Wilder earlier this year.
Who is Ricardo Snijders?
The man before Dubois tonight is 26-year-old Ricardo Snijders. The Dutchman was drafted in two weeks ago to replace original opponent Eric Pfiefer who was withdrawn from tonight's fight due to an issue with his medical.
Snijders is 18-1 but has fought outside his native Netherlands just once. His recent bouts have come at cruiserweight, registering a loss against Joel Tambwe Djeko for the vacant IBO belt last May.
BT Sport's Community Shield coverage has extended a tad - Martin Keown and Peter Crouch greet boxing fans tuning in.
Tonight's set-up from the BT Sport studio
Frank Warren
Sunny days ahead for Edwards?
Had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, Sunny Edwards could very well have found himself fighting for a world title at this point in the year.
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The 24-year-old puts his IBF international super-flyweight title on the line against Thomas Essomba tonight having won the vacant British belt last December against Marcel Braithwaite.
18-1, it could be a big end of the year for him and brother Charlie, the former WBC flyweight champion who recently joined him under the Frank Warren flagship.
Fury in the house tonight
Anthony Joshua was on punditry duty at Matchroom Fight Camp last weekend, running the rule over Alexander Povetkin's shock KO of Dillian Whyte.
It's Tyson Fury's turn tonight with the WBC champion in the BT Sport studios this evening. We doubt he'll be dressed like this, mind.
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Dubois in the legacy-building business
Joe Joyce waits for Dubois in October with the winner set to move onto bigger and better things in the world title picture in 2021.
At 34 years old, Putney’s Joyce has perhaps more to lose. But that is of no concern to the man who has promised to knock him out at the O2 Arena this autumn.
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“I’m not at all worried about what happens to Joe after I beat him," he said. "I will fulfil my promise of knocking him out. I want to shock people. I want to go in there, be ruthless and put him to sleep.
"I want to fulfil part of my legacy and part of my journey. I’m not worried about what happens to Joe or any other opponent I face on the way. This is the game, this is the business. One of us goes up, the other goes down. It’s either him or me.”
Another quick finish for Dubois tonight?
Daniel Dubois has ended his last two fights inside the opening two rounds with 10 of his victories in all coming within the opening three rounds.
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No disrespect to Ricardo Snijders, but we fancy the Londoner to add to that highlight reel tonight. He told Standard Sport this week: “It’s been a hard road back from lockdown, getting back to that full fitness level and getting in fighting shape.
"But we have worked our way here, working every day. We are ready to rumble.
“I want to be ruthless on the night and take him [Snijders] out in devastating fashion. I don’t want to hang around, I don’t get paid for overtime so the quicker the better.”
Card in full
Here's how the card looks this evening. There will be another run out for London heavyweight prospect David Adeleye, who we saw in the BT Sport studios a few weeks ago.
Sunny Edwards meanwhile gets back in the ring for the first time since last December.
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Daniel Dubois vs Ricardo Snijders
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Sunny Edwards vs Thomas Essomba (IBF International super flyweight)
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Sam Maxwell vs Joe Hughes – (WBO European super-lightweight)
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Willy Hutchinson vs Luke Blackledge
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Sam Noakes vs TBA
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David Adeleye vs Phil Williams
Good evening!
Daniel Dubois closes out what has been a fine summer of boxing behind closed doors tonight with the Londoner looking to brush away the cobwebs after eight months waiting to get back into the ring.
We have full coverage from tonight's card at the BT Sport studios right here.