REDDITCH’S Leo Fanthome boxed valiantly in a second round TKO defeat on his Sky Sports debut on Zuffa Boxing’s first-ever UK card.
The Lionheart went into the bout with a 7-2 record in the pro ranks with opponent Alex MacMillan boasting an unbeaten 3-0 record with two wins by knockout.
Fanthome took the fight as a late replacement and had less than a week to prepare for the biggest bout of his career to date.
The Redditch boxer faced MacMillan in a six-round bout at welterweight in the first fight on the preliminary card at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Fanthome traded with MacMillan in the first minute of the fight before an overhand right dropped the Redditch fighter to the canvas.
After a standing count, Fanthome caught MacMillan with a strong right hand as he looked to shake off the early knockdown.
However, a right hook from MacMillan dropped Fanthome to the canvas for a second time in the opening round.
Fanthome showed bravery to see out the first round despite a barrage of punches from MacMillan in the final seconds of the round.
And Fanthome found himself on the canvas for a third time in round two following a snappy right hook from MacMillan.
MacMillan continued to apply pressure and another wave of punches saw the referee wave off the contest with one minute and 16 seconds remaining in the second round.
The event marks UFC-owned Zuffa Boxing’s first-ever show outside of the United States of America.
The card is headlined by former world champion Chris Billam-Smith’s cruiserweight bout against Canada’s Ryan Rozicki.
