Much had been made of the potential of Dutch light heavyweight Gradus Kraus ahead of his Boxxer debut — and the highly touted prospect wasted little time in justifying the hype.

Facing a seasoned campaigner in Boris Crighton, Kraus was handed what looked, on paper, a genuine test. Crighton had shared the ring with established domestic names such as Craig Richards, Lyndon Arthur and Callum Simpson, and was expected to provide a durable examination for one of the division’s most talked-about young contenders.

Instead, Kraus delivered the most emphatic performance of his career to date.

From the opening bell, the light heavyweight showcased his slick but explosive style. Sharp in his movement yet dangerous with every shot, Kraus targeted the body early, dropping Crighton in the first round with a pair of thudding left hands downstairs. He hurt him to the body again just before the bell, underlining his intent to end matters quickly.

Surprising audiences by fighting out of Southpaw stance and showing an eagerness to press the action, Kraus was in no mood for a long night. In the second round, he floored Crighton with a shot to the head before returning to the body once more. Another crunching blow downstairs sent Crighton to the canvas again, prompting the referee to wave the contest.

It was a destructive display against an opponent who had never previously been dispatched in such fashion.

The victory moves Kraus to 10-0 (9 KOs), reinforcing his reputation as one of the most exciting up-and-coming light heavyweights in the sport