Although many will have picked Peter McGrail to defeat Brad Foster tonight (September 28) in Sheffield, few will have predicted him to do so with a body shot and end the fight as early as the second round. Yet that is exactly how and when McGrail finished proceedings, digging a left uppercut into Foster’s body at the one minute and eight seconds mark in round two.

With that, the fight was over and McGrail, a decorated former amateur star, produced the best win of his pro career against arguably his best opponent. Better yet, at a time when some were saying McGrail’s biggest weakness could be a lack of power as he moves up the levels, in stopping Foster in the manner he did McGrail showed that he has the ability to end a fight with one punch.

Foster, a former British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion, did his best to rise from the shot in round two, but pulled himself upright a second too late. By then the referee had waved the fight off and McGrail had secured his career-best win.

As for where he goes next, there is talk that McGrail may fight Dennis McCann for the British and European titles.

“I honestly think that’s one of the best fights in British boxing,” said Eddie Hearn, McGrail’s promoter. “The British and European titles have been ordered and we’ve already spoken to Queensberry (McCann’s promoter). That’s one of the top, top fights in British boxing and I think he’s ready. The winner of that will probably go on and challenge for world titles.”

“That’s the fight we want,” said McGrail, now 10-1 (6). “I just hope he doesn’t vacate those two belts because I’m coming for them.”