Anthony Joshua protege Lawrence Okolie put on a scintillating performance on Wednesday night, demolishing Luke Watkins inside three rounds to lift the Commonwealth cruiserweight title in what was just his ninth professional fight.The Hackney-based 25-year old (9-0, 7 KOs) is represented by Joshua’s AJ BXNG company as part of a joint promotional venture with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing – and “AJ” can only have been impressed by his man’s ruthless performance on a sweltering night inside London’s York Hall.Okolie, who represented Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics, quickly utilised his reach advantage in the opening stages of the contest, with Swindon’s Watkins forced to ship a huge right hand inside the opening stanza.“The Sauce” would continue to be dominant in the second round, pummelling his man with body shots.Watkins attempted stoically to defend his unbeaten record throughout the bout.However, as can be seen in the clip below, his resistance came to an emphatic end in the third round as the defending champion was dropped to the mat with another solid right hand.Although he was able to regain his feet briefly, Watkins was again felled by Okolie shortly afterwards. Referee Michael Alexander called an immediate halt to the contest without administering a count.

Despite an undefeated start to his professional campaign, Okolie was entering the contest with somewhat of a point to prove after a lacklustre showing in his unanimous points victory over Isaac Chamberlain back in February. Fans had panned the contest, which headlined a bill at London’s O2 Arena, for its lack of action.

There will have been no such complaints from the punters leaving the York Hall on Wednesday evening though.

Having put forth a career-best performance in lifting his first major professional title, Okolie looks to have an exceptionally bright future in the sport.

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed following the contest that he was like to see Okolie challenge for both British and European cruiserweight honours in the near future.

Excitingly, there is also the prospect that Okolie could move up to heavyweight as his career progresses.

On the basis of his most recent outing, it seems that fans can expect plenty of entertainment from Lawrence Okolie in the years to come.