Karol Itauma claimed a stoppage win on Saturday in his first fight in over a year.

The 24-year-old light heavy - a former youth Olympic champion - beat Polish opponent Michal Ludwiczak inside three rounds at the Bournemouth International Centre on the ‘Clash on the Coast’ event.

Victory took the Chatham boxer’s professional record to 13-1.

Itauma, whose last fight was a points win over Eros Seghettti last February, put Ludwiczak down with a flurry of punches before referee Lee Every stopped the scheduled six-round contest.

Speaking after the win, he said: “Thirteen months out and now it’s time to push my career on with a new team, under (trainer) Shane McQuigan. I’m ready to push on.

“To get back with a new team, a new perspective, with a breath of fresh air, it feels great.

“I needed some time out, to reflect, to come back properly and I feel like I have changed what wasn’t right. I have changed my whole team.

“I am progressing, that’s what is the most important thing. Shane is tutoring and training and Francis is tactics and we’ll get there.

“We have been in the gym since August training, we were meant to fight December and it fell through, but we are here now and looking to be active. It is all about laying the path, beating every obstacle and getting to the top.”

Karol had his younger brother Moses watching on from ringside, offering advice, and he spoke to Box Nation afterwards.

The young sibling said: “It is nice to see him get back in the ring.

“The first round was about getting the rust off. I know what it’s like under the bright lights, it’s about thinking right and I can tell there is a huge weight off his back. It’s the start of a new beginning.”

Both men will be looking to do big things in their respective divisions.

Karol said: “The beautiful thing about boxing is that you are only one or two fights away from something big.

“Out of the pack I’m the youngest, I believe with hard work and training I can beat them, it is important for me to get back into the next fight and keep going.

“We are both independent, we both have or own careers but we’re going to get there. I trust my team the environment I am in and I am ready to push on.

“For me, it’s important to stay focused, stay in the gym, improving, learning and that so when the call comes I can take the opportunity with both hands. I need to soak everything in and learn.

“There is something to learn from every opponent, positive or negative, going backwards or forward, there is always something to learn. I am grateful to get the opportunity with Queensberry (promotions) and thankful to my team.”