LEWIS’S first contest of the New Year was a definite step up in class. Liverpool’s Noel Quarless was just three years older than Lewis at 27 but very experienced, having made his debut at 19 back in 1981. He had since amassed a record of 19 wins from 30 contests, with 11 inside the distance.

As his record suggested, Quarless was a hot-and-cold fighter but he had scored some decent wins over men like John L. Gardner, the Swede Anders Eklund and former WBA heavyweight champion John Tate. A victory over the much-touted Lewis would undoubtedly be the biggest of his career so far.

Quarless looked in decent shape physically and ready to go the full six rounds if required. Unfortunately, Lewis was in no mood to let him get that far.

Although Quarless made Lewis blink with a right hand in the first round, it proved to be a false dawn for the Liverpudlian. Lewis stayed calm and appeared to be visibly holding back as he waited for his chance.

It arrived in the second round. Lewis suddenly hurt Quarless and showed clinical finishing power to floor his opponent twice with his trademark right, the second time leaving him spreadeagled on the canvas. Quarless got up and argued angrily with the stoppage, but it was all over after one minute 20 seconds of the round. Lewis had win number seven.