BRIERLEY Hill middleweight Sam Horton suffered the first defeat of his professional career as he was knocked out by Cello Renda.

The 24-year-old was floored by a brutal three punch combination in the second round of the bout at Manchester Velodrome tonight.

Horton had taken an eight count just moments earlier after being knocked down by a strong right hander from Peterborough's Renda.

The fight was explosive from the start, as both men landed big punches in the opening round.

But it was Renda who hit the harder.

Horton stayed down on the canvas for more than two minutes after the knockout blow, as he was tended to by medical staff, but eventually rose and waved to the crowd before leaving the arena.