By Diarmuid Sherry

Dundalk native Michael Kelly (9-7-1) secured his first win in eight outings, against the overmatched Ilja Sovdra (2-2) winning by way of first round stoppage. Kelly knocked down the Latvian three times before referee David Walshe ended the contest on the two minute mark exactly.

Kelly’s method of attack was the body, as within the first sixty seconds, he caught Sovdra with a stinging left hook, which had the Latvian squirming in pain, before a follow up long right to the other side of the body literally knocked Sovdra of his feet.

The body attack was to continue from Kelly, unfortunately for Sovdra who still had not recovered. Kelly trapped Sovdra in the corner and again forced the Eastern European visitor down to the canvas with two left hooks, to the body and head forced the Sovdra to the canvas for a second time.

Kelly was to finish his opponent quickly with one more long straight right to the defenceless mid-section of Sovdra, before Walshe signalled the end of the fight without the need of a count.

For a boxer who has shared the ring with World Title challenger, Frankie Gavin; Olympian, Bradley Saunders and Marco McCullough of Belfast, Sovdra probably represented the easiest opponent the experienced Kelly has ever had, not that he will care now he has finally added an extra win to his record.