Troy Ross claims he is ready for the best in the division after winning the Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title with an impressive second round stoppage of John ‘Buster’ Keeton in Canada on Monday night.
The Ontario boxer, who is signed to Hennessy Sports Canada, halted Sheffield’s British champion with a straight left to win the vacant belt and get himself back into contention for even bigger things after ending a 20-month ring exile in January.
Ross, 31, teamed up with Hennessy Sports and brushed away the cobwebs with an impressive stoppage win over Hastings Rasani in London in January before his statement of intent to the world’s top cruiserweights at the Montreal Casino against Keeton.
British contenders in the division include WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli and European champion David Haye. Both are in the world top ten and are just the calibre of opponent former Olympian Ross feels he is ready for.
"We're ready for other titles now," said Ross. "That's what it's all about, getting them belts. I know we've got a lot more things lined up, so winning this means a lot. We can move on strongly from here.”
Keeton, 34, got caught on the counter attack with a beautiful shot. He made it back to one knee, then tossed out his mouthpiece as the referee counted to 10.
"Usually we have to wait to eight," Keeton said. "I spit my gum shield out to give me a few more seconds and they just waved me off. I said I'm fine.
"We backed into my corner and I thought I'd have a go at planting one on him, you know, but I threw a couple of rocks too many. We were throwing at the same time and he landed first."
It was the first Commonwealth Title fight in Canada since 1991 and the first in Quebec since 1958. The crowd included Hennessy Sports promoted WBC light-welterweight world champion Junior Witter.