Tony Conquest celebrates his title success with trainer Jason Rowland (left) and manager Richard Clark

Southern Area cruiserweight champion Tony Conquest enjoyed the taste of sweet revenge when he blasted a two-minute triumph over old rival Leon Williams in the battle of the former TKO Gym pals at York Hall on Saturday.

Southern Area cruiserweight champion Tony Conquest enjoyed the taste of sweet revenge when he blasted a two-minute triumph over old rival Leon Williams in the battle of the former TKO Gym pals at York Hall on Saturday.

It was a career-best peformance for Conquest as the crushing victory reversed a one-round defeat he suffered against former British champion Williams in their amateur days.

His one regret was that he had not had the chance to score the win when he was due to face Williams in a British title fight in January, but an attack of shingles forced the challenger to withdraw from the contest and substitute Shane McPhilbin scored an upset win.

That illness was just one of a string of setbacks that have checked Conquest’s progress and made him admit “I must be jinxed,” before Saturday’s clash – his first contest since last November.

However, despite the hiatus there was no sign of ring rust on Saturday, he quickly found the target for his rapid-fire punches, while the powerful Williams tried to bully him from the opening bell.

The former British champion just walked into trouble as a short right to the jaw sent him crashing to the canvas.

He hauled himself upright, but Conquest pounded more punches as his rival sagged against the ropes, and Johnny Eames in Williams corner saw the signs that his fighter should take no more shots.

The trainer tossed in the towel just as referee Ken Curtis moved in to call a halt and the clash was all over after just two minutes 26 seconds.

The winner consoled his one time training pal at the TKO Gym before he celebrated his ninth straight victory and thanked his fans for their support.

In the dressing room after the action Conquest told me: “I said it was pay-back time. I have waited years to reverse that defeat.”

It was a great way for the champion to celebrate his 28th birthday and now he can press for that overdue British title chance.

He praised the battle plan of his Canning Town trainer Jason Rowland who insisted that his rival could crumble under an early onslaught.

Manager Richard Clark paid his tribute to the winner: “Tony has come through so much for this, he deserves everything that comes his way.”

Second Area title fight on the Goodwin promotions show saw former West Ham amateur Nathan Weise stopped in the second round by Northolt’s Ryan Toms in their meeting for the vacant light-middleweight title.

The pair drew last November, but in the return Toms’ power-punches produced three knockdowns before referee Robert Williams rescued the rubber-legged Weise.