Dunne knocked out in first 90 seconds

Spaniard Kiko Martinez lived up to his nickname of "La Sensacion" by scoring a stunning first round knock out of home favourite Bernard Dunne at a packed out Point Depot last night.

In his first fight outside of Spain, the 21-year-old Martinez tore into Dunne right from the off, flooring him with a heavy right hand within 35 seconds, on the way to picking up the Dubliner's prized EBU Super Bantamweight belt.

A veritable pint-sized version of Mike Tyson, Martinez again sent a shaken Dunne to the canvas just seconds later and after just a minute and 26 seconds of the first round referee Terry O'Connor was forced to step in and end the champion's reign.

With his defensive frailties badly exposed, it was Dunne's first defeat as a professional after 24 straight victories and the manner of it stunned the 8,000-capacity crowd into silence in what was the last fight night to be staged at the Point before its redevelopment.

It was a profitable night not just for Martinez, who was taking his unblemished record to 17-0-0, but also his corner men and family who wagered a reported EUR10,000 at William Hill bookmakers on their man triumphing in the first round at a price of 66/1.

Still trying to come to terms with his first defeat as a pro, a dejected Dunne said: "I don't know (what went wrong). There's no complaints about training camp, fitness or weight. I was in great condition. I got caught cold and literally that was it.

"Obviously I'm disappointed for myself but I'm more disappointed for you guys," he said, turning to the crowd.

"It's moments like this that show whether I'm the fighter I am. No excuses, Kiko did very well. It's just the way it is, it happens in boxing."

On what his charge will do next, Dunne's manager Brian Peters added: "We'll sit down and have a good look at where we'll go from here. That's boxing. Best of luck to Kiko."