Heavyweight prospect Cassius Chaney viciously knocked out Santander Silgado in the first round Friday night in Hartford, Connecticut.

The 6-feet-6, 254-pound Chaney cracked Silgado with a jarring, overhand right hand that left Silgado flat on his back barely a minute into a fight scheduled for eight rounds. With Silgado sprawled out on the canvas, referee Danny Schiavone immediately waved an end to their bout at 1:03 of the first round.

Chaney’s victory was part of the Chad Dawson-Denis Grachev undercard at Connecticut Convention Center.

The 32-year-old Chaney, of New London, Connecticut, improved to 17-0 and recorded his 11th knockout. Chaney has now won six straight bouts by knockout or technical knockout.

The Colombian-born, Panama-based Silgado remained on the canvas for a few minutes. He was helped to his feet, but eventually left the ring on his own.

The 34-year-old Silgado dropped to 28-8 (22 KOs) and lost by knockout or TKO for the fifth time in his past six fights. Four of those five knockouts occurred in the first round of the faded former cruiserweight contender’s bouts.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.