Unbeaten Dundee light-middlewight Mike Towell flattened his last opponent in just 97 seconds last month, notching up his fourth inside-the-distance win of his short professional career.
That crushing victory over Pole Lukasz Janik elevated the 23-year-old to number 10 in the latest British rankings, putting him within touching distance of a title fight.
But manager Tommy Gilmour says Towell who takes on tough Mancunian Danny Little at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Leisure Centre on May 23 must be allowed to develop further before challenging the division’s top guns.
Gilmour said: “Mike looked fantastic against Janik, a really experienced guy who’s fought all over the world and has never been blown away like that. I brought Janik in to give Mike a proper test and really didn’t expect him to get stopped, never mind in one round.
“Mike is now up to number 10 in the UK and normally a manager would be delighted and pushing their boxer for a title shot but I’m doing exactly the opposite.
“I want Mike to get a lot more experience under his belt before he even thinks about taking on the likes of British champion Liam Smith or former champion Brian Rose but he will get there.
“He’s been an absolute phenomenon so far and has picked up the Scottish and British Masters titles at light-middleweight.
“Right now Mike’s coaches Stevie Graham and former British Title challenger Jamie Coyle are working on him boxing at welterweight and he could be an even better prospect at the lower weight.
“Mike himself is determined to get to title level as quickly as possible. I don’t want to curb his enthusiasm too much, but I’ve been in this business for 45 years and he needs to listen to me because I have his best interests at heart.
“If he gets the right sort of opponents he’ll learn a lot more and when he does get to title level he’ll be in a position to win it not just box for it. This boy is exciting and building up a great fan base and is one to watch.”
Towell provides the main support for Gary Cornish’s IBO International heavyweight title fight against highly rated Hungarian Champion Zoltan Csala.
Tickets are available be telephoning 0141 810 5700.
Prices are £40 unreserved arena, £60 reserved ringside and £100 VIP inner-ringside (includes a pre-fight reception).