Darren Tetley’s first professional knock-out came with a heavyweight endorsement from world contender Tyson Fury.

Tetley made his mark at Leeds Town Hall by stopping durable journeyman Jason Nesbitt in only his third outing.

The Holme Wood welterweight received plenty of plaudits for the most impressive display of his fledgling career – but none bigger than the congratulations from Fury.

Tetley said: “For an exciting fighter like him to come up and say how much he enjoyed my fight meant so much. When you’re a young prospect, getting noticed by someone like that is a massive buzz.”

While Tetley is still a ring novice, it was only the 15th time in 191 outings that Nesbitt has not made it to the final bell.

Trainer Mick Marsden urged his man to play on Nesbitt’s high guard by throwing in plenty of body shots.

The game-plan worked well and the veteran was sent stumbling against the ropes in the fourth round when his eye started to swell up. A quick flurry from Tetley put him down again and, despite clambering up as the count reached eight, he was not willing to continue.

Tetley said: “There was no controversy about it. He wanted out because his eye was giving him problems.

“He went in there to survive but he’s a tough opponent. You can tell that by the number of times he has been stopped.

“It was such a big show for me and to get my first stoppage like that means a lot.

“I got some great support and they were making a lot of noise. I was jumping about afterwards like I’d won the world title!

“I hope it sends a bit of a message. I might be a nice lad but I can be nasty in the ring.

“I’m not the type who expects to finish it with one big punch. I use my body shots to wear them down.

“I’ve shown people I can box and when I see the chance of a stoppage, I can take it.”

Junior Witter also enjoyed an early night as he dispatched Lithuanian opponent Arvydas Trizno inside four rounds.

Trizno, who had been comfortably outpointed in their previous meeting in Belfast in 2011, had already been dropped on the canvas in the third.

It was the 23rd stoppage in 43 career wins for Bradford’s former WBC world champion, who is confident of regaining the British welterweight belt at the age of 40.

The Ingle camp are currently working on securing a title shot for Witter before the end of the year.