Australian boxing prospect Paul Fleming wasted no time making an impact in his American debut and even less time on his opponent. The Sydney-based Queensland-born featherweight stopped Mexican journeyman Juan Jose Beltran in just 52 seconds on the Brandon Rios-Urbano Antillon card on Saturday night in Carson, California.
Beltran 32, (24-23-2,15 KOs) had gone the full eight round distance last year with former long serving WBA flyweight champion Eric Morel. Fleming 23, (10-0, 7 KOs) quickly dropped the much more experienced Beltran and the Mexican was unable to continue. Fleming, who signed with Top Rank after representing Australia at the 2008 Olympics, was having his first professional engagement overseas.
"I hit him with a good left body rip and then I turned and threw a one-two and I hit him with the right hand in the jaw area and he just went down," Fleming told AAP. "I was sharp and it was just ridiculous how good I felt when I was in there, I felt awesome."
He is expected to back up on the July 29 card in Sydney featuring Billy Dib's IBF featherweight world title fight against Mexico's Jorge Lacierva. Trainer Billy Hussein is also hoping his charge will land a spot on the August 13 card on the Gold Coast featuring Michael Katsidis.
