Stevie Quinn Jr (8-2) won in thrilling style in front of his adoring supporters, finishing over his opponent, Dinars Skripkins (2-7) in style with a second round stoppage. Quinn Jr was the main event on a show promoted by his father in their hometown of Newtownards, and commissioned by the Maltese Boxing Commission. On paper beforehand, and in action afterwards, it proved to be a complete mismatch.

Whilst Quinn may have only managed one stoppage prior to this bout, all of Skripkins six previous defeats ended before the final bell was rung. The match was also billed as a 10 round contest for the “WBU World Youth Championship” at the Featherweight division. Nevertheless, you can only beat who is put in front of you.

The 22 year-old Quinn was simply too fast, too precise and too skilled. Skripkins found himself on the canvas after 30 seconds, after piston-like southpaw left hit the chin flush from Quinn. Quinn boxed patiently but effectively after, not going for the final kill. He achieved a second knockdown soon after, with another straight left that seemed too good for the woeful Latvian, although it did appear Skripkins just had his footing wrong.

A stoppage was inevitable and came 1 minute and 20 seconds into the second. A right hook from the Co. Antrim man shook his opponent, followed by a jab and speedy straight left, which left the visitor flattened on all fours.

In truth, this was more of a self-promotional exercise for the Quinns. It was Stevie’s first fight in Newwtownards, and only second in Ireland having spent the majority of his career in Panama. He will need to step up competition fast if he is to be involved in more respectable contests than this one however.