Daniel Dubois makes winning return with second-round knockout of Bogdan Dinu

It was an impressive return to the ring for the British heavyweight following his loss to Joe Joyce in November.

Daniel Dubois celebrates victory Romania's Bogdan Dinu (PA Wire)

Daniel Dubois bounced back from his first career defeat with a big second-round knockout victory against Romania’s Bogdan Dinu in Telford on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old heavyweight was returning to the ring since seeing his rise severely stunted in November by fellow Briton Joe Joyce

It was a devastating loss – the only one of his fledgling career so far – and one which saw Dubois face accusations of quitting after taking a knee and being counted out in round 10. However, it later emerged that he had suffered a fractured eye socket that required surgery.

Now recovered and with a new trainer in Shane McGuigan Londoner Dubois showed no signs of apprehension or rustiness against the experienced Dinu (20-3, 16KOs) and fired off stinging shots from the first bell.

Dinu ducked away from trouble in the opener but he was caught by a big right hand in the second round which kept him on the canvas for the full count.

As well as potentially helping to seal a rematch against Joyce, victory in Saturday’s WBA final eliminator also sees Dubois (16-1, 15KOs) become mandatory challenger to ‘regular’ champion Trevor Bryan.