By Jason Peake of the The Joplin Globe

Charles Conwell’s professional debut was over in an instant. The former Olympian and the newest member of the Four State Franchise, Conwell knocked out Jeremiah Page in just 41 seconds in a middleweight clash during pro boxing action Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort’s Peoria Showplace.

“This is the best feeling in the world,” Conwell said. “This is the first of many. I’m looking forward to putting on more great fights for the fans here. I’m just truly blessed to be here.”

Conwell, a 19-year-old Cleveland, Ohio, native who was a member of Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics, made quick work of Page.

The 23-year-old Page (3-4) got in a shot or two early, but Conwell used a quick flurry of punches to send Page crashing to the mat. The native of Andover, Kansas, could not continue.

“It started with a jab and ended with a (left) hook,” Conwell said. “I got him out of there early. I’ve got some power.”

Conwell added he was pleased with the reception he received from the fans.

“I love it here,” he said. “The atmosphere was great, and the fans were great.”

In the card’s 10-round co-main event, Yuandale Evans earned a unanimous decision over Billel Dib for the NABA lightweight championship.

A native of Cleveland, Evans improved to 19-1, while the Australian Dib fell to 21-2.

The 27-year-old Dib, who fought at Buffalo Run last December, is ranked sixth in the world in his weight class by the WBO, but he saw a 12-fight win streak come to an abrupt end.

The grueling back and forth fight went the distance, with all three judges scoring it 97-93 in favor of Evans.