Former Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei needed just 28 seconds for victory in his first bout as professional boxer, defeating Dave 'Brown Buttabean' Letele with a first‑round knockout in Christchurch last night.

Vatuvei, literally came out swinging in his first stint in the ring since a 2012 charity bout against Olympic rower Eric Murray, with Letele unable to match his ferocity.

A series of blows saw Letele in trouble early on, before a vicious uppercut‑hook combo saw Vatuvei declared the winner.

Vatuvei is yet to confirm his intentions to fight on as a professional, currently without a club in rugby league, having left UK Super League side Salford Red Devils earlier this year.

[Source: TVNZ]