Anthony Yarde and Daniel Dubois, the thunder-punching double act from east London’s Peacock gym, can look forward to the new year with confidence after ending 2017 in explosive form at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday.

East London Advertiser: Daniel Dubois floors Dorian Darch (pic Natalie Mayhew/Butterfly Boxing)Daniel Dubois floors Dorian Darch (pic Natalie Mayhew/Butterfly Boxing) (Image: Archant)

Both fighters slammed their way to inside-the-distance victories to delight the live audience and the TV public, providing the power to suggest they can cash in as money-making attractions in boxing’s big time.

Light-heavyweight Yarde beat Montenegro’s Nikola Sjekloca in four rounds, taking some sharp punches on the way but also taking pride in overcoming his toughest rival to date.

“It looks like 2018 will be a good year,” admitted Yarde, clearly pleased to take his winning tally to 14. “He had lost only four fights against top rivals and never been stopped so I have to be pleased to stop him in four rounds,” added the prospect, who is trained by Tunde Ajayi at the east London gym.

Powerful left and right hooks sent Sjekloca to the canvas in the second and fourth rounds before referee Steve Gray called a halt after one minute eight seconds of the fourth.

The three minute 51 second destruction of Aberdare’s Dorian Darch by Dubois matched the 2014 win of current world heavyweight king Anthony Joshua to the second – although the London 2012 Olympic champion was 25 at the time and Dubois is only 20.

Crushing rights rocked Darch from the opening minute as the powerful prospect maintained his destructive reputation, knocking his rival to the canvas before the end of the round.

More solid shots saw three more knockdowns before referee Robert Williams signal the end and the former Repton amateur celebrated his sixth straight pro victory.

“For a 20-year-old he is a fearsome prospect. He’s hard to match but we will not rush him,” said promoter Frank Warren who plots the fighter’s future with manager, Peacock gym boss Martin Bowers.

Already a Southern Area and WBC World Youth champion, the young giant could be adding more belts before his 21st birthday in September.