Boxer who trains actor Johnny Depp flattens rival in ferocious first-round KO on Moses Itauma card

Joshua Holmes recorded a breathtaking victory on the undercard of heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma.

Holmes, who is the personal trainer of Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, was looking to make a statement in front of a watching global audience.

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Depp, who is notorious for his roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Pirates of the Carribean franchise, was understood to be watching from home.

He had eager eyes on Manchester, as Holmes took on the stiff test of Alex Murphy on the undercard of Itauma’s huge clash with Franklin.

Many believed it would likely go the distance with Holmes not known for his KO power as much so as that of headliner Moses Itauma.

But the simply breathtaking and barbaric performance he delivered inside the opening three minutes threatened to steal the show from Itauma.

Holmes’ emphatic KO

It was a remarkable opener with Holmes finding himself on the back foot early on, rocked by a booming early right hand.

Holmes appeared to be taken off balance and in early survival mode, but he showed great powers of recovery to shake the shot off and keep his composure.

As Murphy marched forwards, it was the unbeaten fighter who cracked the next best shot, a textbook left hand that slumped his rival to the canvas.

It saw him fall flat on his back, but he was still conscious and returned to his feet begging the referee to let him continue.

Action resumed but it was ominous and Holmes scored his second knockdown with another booming shot.

The referee waved off the contest and it was called to a halt, with Holmes getting the early night just as the bell sounded.

It was a simply incredible highlight-reel stoppage, which had the sold-out crowd in the Co-op Live Arena purring in excitement.

Holmes’ message for Depp.

Holmes was quick to salute Depp, who he has trained since summer last year, in his post-fight interview.

He shouted: “I think Johnny Depp will be pretty happy with that knockout.

“I hope you enjoyed it, Johnny.”

Holmes then added: “It was good, man. I switched off a bit and got caught. It is what it is—I needed that to wake me up.

“I’ve got power, I gave him a couple of shots and it was game over.

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“I laughed at myself when I got caught. We do a routine in the gym to deal with situations like that.

“When you do small hall shows, you can’t watch it back, but I can now.”

Boxing schedule

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