Professional boxer makes debut aged 58 and knocked out inside 10 seconds

A 58-year-old welterweight boxer - dubbed the oldest in the world - fell to a sobering first round knockout defeat at the hands of a fighter 37 years his junior. Scot England, a former DJ, lasted just five seconds in the ring before Jashawn Hunter landed a victory-sealing blow. 

Making his debut in the contest in Nashville, Tennessee, the bout was the realization of a childhood dream for the American, who has previously spoken of his admiration for icon Muhammad Ali. The veteran had even claimed to have exchanged letters with the sporting great after meeting him four decades ago.

Describing how his relationship with Ali inspired him to try his own hand at boxing some 40 years after their first encounter at a meet and greet, he said: "The first time I walked into his living room, he said are you a boxer? I said no, champ, I’m not tough enough for that, and I wasn’t. Forty years later, I am tough enough."

The fight itself formed part of a fully syndicated show called 'Country Box', which aims to combine boxing and music to keep the city of Nashville in the public eye. Despite England's billing, he could not defy the odds by securing a shock victory on the night, however.

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He was ultimately unable to match the triumphs of 'the Greatest' in the ring against his younger opponent, with the fight stopped soon after the first bell. The latest chapter in the former country and western songwriter's eventful life came to a swift close, as youngster Hunter landed his adversary on the canvas with a couple of uppercut jabs.

Speaking to the Herald and Review newspaper, England reflected on the bout, saying: "This kid caught me with a fast punch I did not see, and it was a good one, I don't know if he broke my nose, but my nose is pretty big and cut today; he put me down and I had no idea where I was.

"You know, I have no memory of that at all. I thought the ref stopped it when I got back up. And then I looked at the fight video afterwards and said 'Man, I kept going for a few more punches and I just don't recall that part'."

Despite being on the recieving end of a five-second knockdown, he appeared proud of his efforts at becoming the oldest person to have a professional boxing fight. He previously claimed that the famed 'Guinness Book of World Records' had previously been in touch to inform him of his unique place in history. 

He had previously been allowed to fight Hunter after being handed a boxing licence by the Tennessee Athletic Commission. As part of this process he had to pass a couple of blood and exams before being permitted to follow his dream of entering the ring for his long-awaited debut bout.

Reflecting on his achievements, he said: "To be honest, the way I got beat up I will probably have that record forever,' before taking a positive view of his efforts and predicting that his record would stand the test of time, adding: "Because they probably won’t ever let another old guy like me in the ring."