Quade Cooper got his professional boxing career off to a promising start with a first-round knockout of Barry Dunnett last night.
Dunnett was earlier given a standing count but was finished off with a straight right hand from Cooper after 2min 59sec at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Dunnett went straight down on his back and was put into the recovery position as various people, including those from Cooper's corner, quickly stormed into the ring. Wallabies playmaker Cooper celebrated, but his cornerman Anthony Mundine looked concerned.
Queenslander Dunnett was soon up, though wobbly on his feet.
There was pressure on 24-year-old Cooper but also his opponent. Dunnett has boxed twice before - in 2010, and has competed in 15 Muay Thai fights - but would not been used to this sort of scrutiny.