CHICAGO - Hard-hitting light heavyweight contender Joe Smith Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) delivered a shocking upset with a first round stoppage of crowd favorite Andrzej Fonfara (28-4, 16 KOs) Saturday night in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

It was a short night for the heavily favored Fonfara, who was rocked by a roundhouse right from Smith Jr. that immediately sent the Polish fighter to the canvas. Fonfara stumbled to his feet, but never regained his composure.

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Smith Jr. sensed his moment and attacked, connecting with a cross-hook combo that put Fonfara back on the ground. Fonfara was able to get to his feet, but was too shaky to continue, forcing referee Hector Afu to stop the fight at 2:32 into the first round.

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Here is what the fighters had to Saturday night:

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JOE SMITH JR.

"There's no feeling like this. I'm happy to take this victory back home to New York to all my fans.

"I'll talk to my promoter but I'm hoping for another big fight to get myself to a world title.

"Now everybody knows who I am. This is the best thing that could have happened.

"Once I started hitting him and pushing him back he fell away and left himself open for the right hand.

"I thought this would be more of a fight, but I took him out early and it feels great.

"He was punching and I knew he leaves himself open. I was just looking for the punch and it landed."

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ANDRZEJ FONFARA

"He is a heavy puncher. He hit me with a great punch. It happens.

"I threw some good punches, but I got too comfortable. I didn't see the punch coming. That made it a great punch.

"I'm disappointed because I thought I would win the fight but it is boxing. I will rest and get back in the ring. I'll get back to work."

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