Shannon Briggs made an explosive UK debut, knocking out Emilio Ezequiel Zarate to close in on a David Haye showdown.

The former world heavyweight champion (60-6-1, 56KOs) racked up the 36th opening-round finish of his rollercoaster career to set up a fight with British rival Haye in September.

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'Let's Go Champ' was echoing around the arena out as Briggs stepped into the ring for his first fight in Britain, but Zarate - who was a late call-up only four days prior to the fight - was never going to make it a drawn-out UK debut for the Brooklyn-born heavyweight.

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The first combination Briggs threw saw the Argentine forced to take a knee, a left hook landing and a simple straight right sending him down to regain his breath as the count reached eight.

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From then on Briggs barely needed to use his jab and a number of single shots showed that at even at the age of 44, 'The Cannon' still picks his punches with power and precision.

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A well-timed left-right-left combination landed then, with the clock not even reaching the final minute and with Zarate struggling to stay up, Briggs closed in for the KO.

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A vicious short, sharp left to the body put his opponent flat on his back and with 50 seconds left in the first round, Briggs was soon celebrating - as only he can - his 60th professional win.

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"England... I love you," he told Dave TV after snatching the microphone. "I'm here to stay. They can't get rid of me. David Haye - when I see you, I'm knocking you out cold. Let's go champ."

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