David Haye marked his return to the boxing ring with a first-round knockout of the over-matched Mark de Mori at London's 02 Arena on Saturday night.
The former WBA heavyweight champion, fighting for the first time after a three-and-a-half year absence and a career-threatening shoulder injury, secured what was a routine victory barely two minutes into his comeback.
A powerful right hand and untidy combination sent De Mori straight to the canvas, leaving him unable to respond to referee Robert Williams' count.
Hayes’ limited opponent, among the least threatening of his professional career, had already wildly missed and taken several punches.
Unsurprisingly, De Mori was unable to take Haye's power - like 24 others before him.
The swift nature of the result and the Australian's obvious shortcomings revealed little about the abilities Haye may or may not retain.
It proved only that he is capable of overcoming underwhelming opposition and not whether he is ready for the big fights he will likely demand.
De Mori turned out as one-dimensional, predictable and sluggish as expected and there was little the Australian could do to expose 35-year-old Haye.
Weighing in at a career-heavy 16st 3lb 5oz in the belief that his greater size would prevent the recurrence of injuries, Haye certainly appeared slower, though how much urgency he was fighting with was in doubt.
De Mori, at 17st 5lbs 8oz, like many of Haye's heavyweight opponents, more than a stone heavier, lacked the range, mobility or skill-set to trouble him - and even with Haye far from aggressive it became clear he would struggle to last.
The home favourite had already landed with promising right hands - and evaded another - before the biggest shook De Mori to the extent that an unconvincing follow up of lefts and rights concluded the easiest night's work of Haye's decorated career.
Assuming his shoulder, or indeed any other part of his bigger physique, shows no negative reaction to the short-lived fight, it is likely Haye's profile - already strong enough to impressively attract 16,000 fans despite the one-sided nature of the match-up - will imminently lead to a more significant fight.
He has targeted the promising Anthony Joshua before the year's end, but would unquestionably benefit from a further and more substantial test before then.
