Eddie Hearn’s ‘next Anthony Joshua’ scores blistering first-round stoppage in pro debut

Leo Atang justified the hype in his professional debut. The 18-year-old from York has repeatedly been compared to Anthony Joshua throughout the build-up, and he lived up to that billing with an impressive first-round stoppage in his maiden bow

His opponent, Bulgarian journeyman Milen Paunov (7-16), proved no match for the teenage sensation, who blasted the veteran away in two minutes and 29 seconds.

Atang was on his adversary like a rash from the off and dropped Paunov early doors with a sickening body shot.

The travelling fighter made his way back to his feet, but not for long, as Atang continued to pour on the pressure to force the stoppage against the ropes.

Atang’s debut won’t have proved much about his ability, given the level of opposition he was up against.

However, it did show that he can hold his nerve under pressure.

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Hearn has branded Atang ‘the next Anthony Joshua’, while the Matchroom promotional machine has been put into overdrive for the youngster.

On Tuesday, at a Matchroom rebranding event in London, he joined Joshua and Frank Bruno on stage for a Q&A session where he was introduced as ‘the future of the heavyweight division’.

Atang admitted that there were nerves heading into his first pro fight, but you wouldn’t have known by watching his mature display.

“From meeting AJ on Tuesday to all the build-up, there has been a lot of pressure, but I have embraced it all,” said Atang.

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