Leonard targets a spot on Conlan's undercard after first professional win

Kelsey Leonard started her professional career with a second round stoppage win over Kira Carter in Belfast tonight.

Leonard, who was backed by a sizeable support, put her opponent down 55 seconds into the second round with a big right hand and although Carter did her best to get back to her feet, the towel was thrown in by her coach who clearly recognised the gulf in class between the two boxers.

With Niall Barrett and Gary Cully in her corner, it was no surprise to see Leonard look so well prepared and comfortable on her debut and this looks to be only the start of something very exciting for the eight-time amateur national champion.

"I’m just delighted the journey has finally started,” she said when speaking to TG4 after the fight.

“It was a bit cagey in the first round, I was just trying to get the feel for everything, it’s very, very different.

“Kira is a good opponent so I had a lot of nerves coming in. She had a lot of good wins in her amateur career, she hasn’t been stopped many times either,” said Leonard.

With an impressive first win under her belt, it's all about getting as many fights as possible now for Leonard.

“I just want to be active. I just want to get used to the professional scene, get as many fights as I can and work my way up that way and see where it goes,” said Leonard.

Her sights already set on a place on the undercard of Michael Conlan’s fight against Jack Bateson at the 3 Arena on 5 September.

“That would be the ideal slot. We’ve had that envisaged and after that performance I’ll be looking for that,” she said.