By Lee Collier

Back on the 22nd of January, Sky Sports viewers witnessed what will certainly be one of the knockouts of 2010 when Ashley Sexton brutally stopped Usman Ahmed in the first round to win the English flyweight title.  The stoppage was that good that the video footage has been put up on Frank Maloney’s [Sexton’s promoter] official YouTube page.

Speaking exclusively with BoxingScene.com a week later, Sexton was understandably in a buoyant mood after winning his first title in only his ninth pro fight.  “It was amazing, to get that title and start progressing as it felt that since the end of last year I have been stalling, and to do it in such a fashion was great,” beamed Sexton.

From the first bell it seemed that Ahmed was open to the right hand, which is something that Sexton picked up on quickly.  “I had been telling everyone I would knock him out in the first four rounds as I really believed I would,” recalled Sexton.

“The minute he came out I noticed his left hand was low down and if you watch the fight I tried to land it three times early on but I was too far out.  As I warmed into the fight I got closer and he tried to stand and fight.  I let the right hand go and it landed perfectly - it was game over.”

Sexton knows that as he steps up in class the opportunity to land flush shots will decrease but is confident that he has the power to knock any flyweight out.  “I think no matter who you are, if you get hit with a shot like that you are going over,” boasted Sexton.

“It is definitely something I can carry up as I move up level.  I have stopped five out of nine so whilst I won’t stop everyone I definitely have power to be scared of.  Any 8st fighter should respect my power, if I hit them clean on the jaw they will go out.”

With the English title won, Sexton is now targeting a former and the current British champion in Chris Edwards and Shinny Bayaar respectively.

“I still want Chris Edwards but I don’t think his team want the fight.  I see Chris as the most established flyweight in Britain even though he lost his British title to Shinny Bayer.  I am sure Chris Edwards will win the Commonwealth [Edwards faces Abmerk Shindjuu for the vacant title on the 19th Feb], as I don’t think he has much in front of him.  As long as he gets the win it would be nice to jump in with Chris and fight for the Commonwealth.”

Sexton continued: “I think Shinny Bayaar will struggle in getting fights.  I don’t think Sky are interested in him but that’s a fight I would be interested in.  I just want to keep busy and at the press conference last week it was announced Rendall Munroe would be fighting on St Georges Day [23rd April].  If he wins his world title eliminator then by the end of the year he may be fighting in Japan for the world title.

“I would be really up for going to Japan and fighting one of their flyweights.  They have so much to choose from and it would be a good experience.  It would be good to see how I do against a better, international class fighter.”

Another option for Sexton could be the awkward and experienced British super-flyweight champion Lee Haskins, who is due to fight for the European flyweight title soon.

“I am going to have to wait until the end of the year and see if I have the Commonwealth and British titles and see how Lee Haskins gets on fighting for the European title.  We are both promoted by Frank Maloney so it would be a good and easy fight to make and that’s the way I want to go,” revealed Sexton.

“I would like a few more rounds before fighting Lee, I would be ready for Edwards and Bayaar now and after them then maybe Lee towards the end of the year.  I am comfortable at eight stone and want to stay at flyweight and good luck to Lee.  Once I have the British and Commonwealth I will target the European and (that means) Lee if he wins the belt.”