Eastbourne builder wants to be a heavyweight hero after dramatic debut bareknuckle boxing win

Milner was chucked in at the deep end on his bareknuckle debut.

He was matched with veteran hard man Eric Olsen on a behind-closed-doors show that was screened around the world on pay per view.

After two rounds, the judges had the fight level on the scorecards, setting up a decisive final session.

Eastbourne builder could be a punch away from fame as he prepares for debut bareknuckle fight

The final round looked to be in the balance going into the dying seconds – and then Milner went for broke.

He unloaded a volley of punches that drove the American to his knees.

Olsen took a lengthy count, dragged himself up and the bell rang before any more punches could be thrown.

Milner said: “He’s a massive name and I have catapulted myself. I was really nervous before the fight, but I popped my jab out, bust him up and dropped him.”

The target for Milner next is British champion Dan Podmore.

The Brummie captured the vacant British title on the same show with a fourth-round cuts stoppage win over Rob Cunningham, from Scotland.

Report by Matthew Bozeat