COLIN KENNA put his heavyweight boxing career back on track yesterday with a devastating first-round knockout of Stoke's Darren Ashton.

Topping the bill at Heathrow's Thistle Hotel, the Lordshill fighter, pictured above, immediately took control of his experienced opponent and after just 80 seconds landed two near-perfect left-hooks.

Ashton immediately crumbled to the canvas as the referee waved the contest off.

It was Kenna's first fight since he was beaten by a similar left-hook from British heavyweight contender Michael Sprott.

Reading's Sprott was ringside to see friend and sparring partner Kenna return to the ring in emphatic fashion.

Also boxing at Heathrow was Totton welterweight Danny Cooper and he made it a south-coast double with a typically flawless technical boxing display.

Cooper, 36, won every round against Birmingham's Casey Brooks to record his third straight win of the year after returning to boxing following a remarkable 11-year absence.

Full report and reactions - see tomorrow's Daily Echo.