UNBEATEN Lance Cooksey firmly believes he has what it takes to be “beating the best in Britain”.

Cooksey extended his perfect professional record to 7-0 last Friday with a first stoppage victory in the paid ranks.

It took just 54 seconds of round one for the St Joseph’s star to see off Devon’s Jamie Speight, who was expected to give him a much tougher test.

Tony Borg-trained Cooksey will now take a short break to recharge his batteries before returning to the gym to work towards a maiden pro title.

In the build-up to his super-lightweight clash with Speight, Cooksey spoke about the possibility of fighting for a belt towards the end of the year or at the beginning of 2019.

He reiterated that after the Speight contest and also said he expects offers to start “flooding in”.

“I’m proud of the performance,” he said of the Speight success.

“Jamie Speight is a Southern English champion, he’s durable, and I thought my performance was just a bit too advanced for him.

“I didn’t expect to stop him in the first round – I hadn’t stopped anyone before so that was my first stoppage. I just knew in time it was going to come.

“I know I’m fit for the weight and I know I’m strong so it’s a matter of experience from my previous fights to have the confidence to put the big punches in.

“All my fights had gone the distance and I’d won on points, so I’d never experienced that as a pro, where you can stop someone.

“You don’t go out knowing what you’re going to do, whether it’s going to be a first-round knockout or if you’re going to win or lose.

“As long as you’ve prepared for every scenario there’s nothing else you can do.”

He added: “Having a second fight within four weeks is quite a lot for a boxer.

“I’ll have a bit of time out now just to recuperate, rest up for a couple of weeks and then be back in the gym.

“The offers are going to be flooding in now, whether or not it’s going to be a title fight towards the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

“Speaking to my management, there will be title shots coming, that’s for sure, and especially with displays like that.

“I know with my talent and ability I can go far in the sport and be beating the best in Britain.”

Former St Joes stablemate Sean McGoldrick didn’t have such a good night as his Nicaraguan opponent couldn’t make the MTK Global show due to issues with immigration at the airport.

“I was devastated for Sean,” said Rhoose’s Cooksey. “We’re ex-stablemates and we know each other well.

“The nerves you get as a boxer, sometimes people think it’s an easy escape if someone doesn't turn up, but if it happens to you it’s the worst thing in the world.

“All the preparation goes to waste and the fans are disappointed – it’s heart-breaking.

“Luckily, Sean’s in a good position where he has got good management and will be out again very soon.”

Meanwhile, British boxing legend Barry McGuigan believes his sport needs more free-to-air television coverage to protect its future.

Highly-rated heavyweight Martin Bakole will top the billing on Channel 5 when McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions host an impressive line-up at London's York Hall on October 13.