Luke Watkins takes record to perfect 10

After a frustrating couple of rounds, ‘The Duke’ began to find his range in the fourth, knocking the sturdy 39-year-old to the canvas several times before the referee called an end to the contest with 22 seconds remaining.

Watkins’ latest victory sees him maintain his perfect record as a professional and also hit the landmark of 10-0.

The Swindon boxer wasn’t due to come up against Svacini and only knew on Thursday evening that he would face the resilient Czech.

But the 27-year-old was quick to thank his opponent for climbing into the ring on such short notice.

“I was due to fight someone else but due to boxing politics the board didn’t give authority for that to take place,” said Watkins.

“So, it was changed last minute and I thank my opponent for stepping in because sometimes they could have said ‘no’ which would have left me without a fight.

“There are always things to work on. I’m glad I got the win, the stoppage and the 10-0.

“Once I was given the instructions from my corner, I found the shots I needed.”

While Watkins was left frustrated by his late change in opponent, he admits it is something he has learned to grin and bear.

“You don’t learn anything particularly but you do have to deal with a certain pressure,” added the 27-year-old.

“It’s like being sat on a Sunday roast all week and then they change it Sunday morning, you’re thinking 'what the hell?'

“You’ve been looking forward to that.

“You’ve been preparing and working your week around that and they change it, so you have to adjust.

“It is part of boxing and it’s something I have been accustomed to because it happened to me in the amateurs.”

Watkins’ trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick was pleased with his fighter’s performance against a brave and experienced opponent.

“Luke stopped a dude who doesn’t usually get stopped. You could hit that guy in the head all night and I don’t think you could do anything to him,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The fact he realised that and went to his body was excellent.”