For the second time in as many tries, David Avanesyan has knocked Kerman Lejarraga out of contention.

This time around, he perhaps flushed him all the way out of the queue.

Six months after scoring an upset stoppage win over the previously unbeaten welterweight contender, Avanesyan returned to the scene of the crime to score a 1st round knockout in their rematch Saturday evening at Bilbao Arena in Bilbao, Spain.

Two early knockdown paved the way for the stoppage win, although one which came under heavy protest from the fallen welterweight.

Lejarraga was seemingly one win away from vying for a major title fight heading into their first fight six months ago. Visions of one day facing unbeaten Terence Crawford were shattered when Avanesyan rallied from behind to stop the Spaniard in nine rounds.

The visiting Russian boxer was even more emphatic this time around, striking early and often against a determined Lejarraga who hoped to prove the first fight was a fluke. Avanesyan very much showed he was for real, connecting with an overhand right to the temple which sent the local favorite stumbling to the canvas.

It was hardly a unique sequence for the 27-year old Spaniard, who has been floored before and has rallied back to win. He bravely rose to his feet and did his best to regain his bearings. Avanesyan maintained momentum, welcomed in an engaging Lejarraga and sent him to the canvas for as second time.

Lejarraga once again rose to his feet, only for referee Anssi Perajoki to decide that he was done for the night. The official in-ring ruling was met with an immediate protest, one which didn’t at all resonate with the crowd or at-home viewers.

Nevertheless, it’s a call that will stand and also make things increasingly difficult for Lejarraga (28-2, 23KOs) to return to welterweight relevance anytime in the near future.

Meanwhile, Avanesyan is all the way back in the mix, perhaps viewed even more favorably than following his 12-round secondary title win over future Hall of Famer and former three-division champ Shane Mosley in May 2016. The career-best win at the time was short lived, having lost two of his next three before resurrecting his career with his first win over Lejarraga.

The repeat feat advances his record 25-3-1 (13KOs), along with his chances of returning to the welterweight title picture.

The bout streamed live on Fite TV.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox