Leo Atang scores second-round KO on US debut as Pacheco defends titles

British heavyweight prospect Leo Atang stopped Glen Williams in the second round on his first appearance on US soil in California this weekend. The 19-year-old, who fights under Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, moved to 8-0 as a professional with the seventh knockout of his career.

Atang backed the 36-year-old Williams against the ropes with a clean left hand before unloading shots to the head. With Williams unresponsive, referee Ray Armendariz waved the fight off shortly afterwards. Williams came into the bout with four professional fights behind him.

The win came on the undercard of Diego Pacheco's super-middleweight main event at Dignity Health Sports Park, giving Atang a first taste of the American market at an early stage of his career.

Atang's measured progress

The Yorkshire fighter had previously needed only one round to get past 40-year-old Fouad Shaili in Sheffield, and his promoter now faces the task of selecting the right level of opposition for his next step. Atang has dismissed early comparisons with Anthony Joshua and said in April that there is no rush, telling talkSPORT.com: "We'll take as much time as we need. People progress at different rates and stuff, but I'm happy with how it's going at the moment." He added that the plan is to step up opponents and rounds gradually.

• Atang, 19, is now 8-0 as a professional with seven knockouts
• The stoppage of Glen Williams came in round two after a clean left backed him to the ropes
• It was Atang's first fight in the United States, on the Pacheco-Aleem card in California
• Pacheco remained unbeaten by stopping Immanuwel Aleem in round 11
• Pacheco called out WBA champion Jaime Munguia after the victory

Pacheco stays unbeaten and eyes Munguia

In the main event, 25-year-old Pacheco defended his WBC Silver and WBO International super middleweight titles by stopping fellow American Aleem in the 11th round with a flurry of punches, having controlled much of the fight. The Californian is now 26-0.

Pacheco said he built the performance around his jab and reading his opponent. "I controlled with my jab, put my punches together, listened to my corner and we got the job done," he said, adding that he studied Aleem each round and took advantage of openings as they appeared. Afterwards he called for "the best fight possible" and named WBA champion Jaime Munguia as the opponent he wants next.

For Atang, the immediate question is who Hearn matches him with next as he continues his gradual ascent, while Pacheco's team must now decide whether a bout with Munguia can be made. Both fighters left California with their momentum intact.