Horse trainer turned boxer Allun Sutherland won on a technical knockout in front of 2,000 spectators on Saturday.

The 41-year-old from Upper Seagry had never been in a fight in his life before ten weeks ago, when he started to take part in Zero to Hero. The programme trains white collar workers to go toe-to-toe in the ring.

Now he has floored David Painter, a 45-year-old shop owner from Bristol, in a live fight night at The Hand Centre in Clevedon, Bristol, which was televised by Sky Sport.

There were supposed to be three two-minute rounds, but Mr Sutherland knocked his opponent down three times in just one minute 20 seconds, while also managing to avoid any blows himself.

But he said he took his fair share during training, even getting his nose broken in the sixth week.

Mr Sutherland said: “I knocked him onto the rope and onto his knees. It was a total knockout.

“It was all over quite quickly. I did feel a bit guilty afterwards. We all worked so hard for 10 weeks and I didn’t want to spoil his experience.

“The point when I became nervous was the time between when the bell went and the first punch, cause you’re not quite sure how they’re going to come out and attack you.

“I went out to We will rock you blaring out, flames coming up and smoke coming out, everyone clapping and stamping. It made you feel pretty good, like a professional.”

Mr Sutherland has raised just short of £500 for the JDRF charity to help fund diabetic research, chosen for his 28-year-old stepson who has type 1 diabetes.
Donate to his cause at www. justgiving.com/Allun-Sutherland