Wright on the mark in professional boxing debut

DANNY Wright's debut in the professional boxing ranks could scarcely have gone better.

Tasked to face the previously unbeaten Hungarian Krisztian Kovacs at the Bolton Whites Hotel, adjacent to Bolton Wanderers FC's stadium, Failsworth-based Wright (20) marched to a first-round stoppage victory.

Kovacs simply couldn't fend off Wright's devastating attacks, and after barely two minutes the referee was forced to step in and halt the light-welterweight contest.

"It was a dream job," said an overjoyed Wright (pictured), who had almost 200 fans roaring him on from ringside.

"Kovacs was a tough kid. He was young, had won his previous two fights with one inside the distance, but that's the kind of fights I want.

"I want to come up against game lads, not people who are going to just stand there like punching bags.

"Kovacs had a go early on, but I just landed too many clean shots on him.

"He was really hurt in the end, but that's the game and that's what I wanted."

Former amateur sensation Wright, who has signed a joint management and promotional deal with Steve Wood and Frank Warren, now hopes to secure an appearance on a big Warren show next month.

"I need to get a few four-rounders in," added Wright. "I want to get that feel in the ring."