Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk watch on as Olympic champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak scores first-round KO in pro debut

Oleksandr Khyzhniak got off to a flying start to his professional career on Saturday night.

The well-schooled Ukrainian enjoyed a decorated amateur career, culminating in gold medals at the World Championships, European Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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His credentials were on full display as he blew away Colombian journeyman Wilmer Baron (8-14-1) inside the opening stanza of a light heavyweight bout scheduled for six rounds in Lesniki, Ukraine.

Khyzhniak established his lead hand early and sent Baron tumbling to the canvas with a ram-rodding jab halfway through the round.

Baron made his way back to his feet, but Khyzhniak was all over him like a rash.

With 15 seconds left in the round, Khyzhniak landed a chopping right hand to close the show as Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk watched on with delight from ringside.

It was a successful night for Usyk, who staged his first professional boxing show since the Russian invasion of his homeland.

His training partner, Daniel Lapin, also got a first-round finish in the main event against Latvia’s Kristaps Bulmeistars.

Joshua accompanied Usyk to the event after touching down in Ukraine earlier this week to start camp for his looming comeback fight.

At the back end of last year, AJ left Ben Davison to work with Iegor Golub and Team Usyk for his crossover clash with Jake Paul.

Joshua knocked out Paul in the sixth round and was expected to return to the ring in February.

However, his plans were put on hold after his involvement in a serious car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Joshua was recently seen training at his old amateur boxing club, Finchley ABC, and is now in Ukraine to ramp up his preparations.

Eddie Hearn has earmarked July as a tentative return date.

And while he told BoxingScene on Saturday night that his client is “in a great place”, discussions regarding his return are yet to take place.

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“He’s had a great few days. That’s how long he’s been in camp, and no decisions yet about when a return will be,” said Hearn.

“I think July is a sensible month to target. We’ve still got to get some clearance from some doctors on his development, but he feels good.

“I spoke to Joshua last night, and this morning he said, ‘I’ve had a great week. I feel amazing.’ That was his words: ‘I feel amazing.’”