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| VICTORIOUS: Billy Joe Saunders celebrates at the 02 |
The 21-year-old, who lives on a travellers' site near Essendon, was the first fight on the undercard of the Nathan Cleverly/James DeGale bill, promoted by Frank Warren, and he proved a popular winner with the crowd as the referee was forced to stop the fight midway through the second round.
Hammond, whose last five fights - all defeats - had gone the distance, provided little by way of resistance from the opening bell, but that was all credit to Saunders who showed few signs of rustiness despite only having last fought in April.
After initially sizing each other up, Saunders soon went on the attack, landing a series of excellent salvos to Hammond's body, the power of which left those at ringside whooping in appreciation.
Saunders then unleashed a couple of good right/left combinations finding their target at the side of Hammond's exposed head.
Cornerman Jimmy Tibbs encouraged Saunders to really go for it, as the former Hoddesdon and Cheshunt amateur boxing club ace sat down to take a well earned breather.
Saunders took the advice to heart and went straight at Hammond from the second round bell.
He forced his opponent onto the ropes, and while this first barrage didn't do too much damage, Hammond appeared rattled, and a second exchange of well-aimed blows saw the referee force a standing count.
It didn't take long for Saunders to finish Hammond off.
Sensing Hammond's legs were buckling he delivered another couple of upper cuts and body punches, and Hammond was on his knees leaving the referee little option but to stop the fight.
Saunders milked the applause of the crowd, going to all four corners raising his hands in celebration.
Speaking to the Mercury from his dressing room moments after the fight, an over-the- moon Saunders said: "I took him to pieces, I had a really great fight."
There were no worries about the hand injury which had kept him out action since May last year, before his victory over German Turgay Uzan.
"I didn't feel it all. It was great to fight here at the 02, I wasn't nervous at all and just got on with the job. He couldn't respond to anything I threw at him."
Also in the dressing room was proud father Tom, who said: "In all honesty, I didn't think he would do it as easily as that. I thought it would go the distance.
"I'd like to thank all the supporters from Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Hatfiled who've travelled here tonight to support Billy Joe. They were great."
Saunders will next be in action on July 9 on the undercard of Kevin Mitchell's fight.
Trainer Tibbs told us: "It was a good performance. Hammond has never been stopped, he's a tough fighter. I told Billy Joe to fight at his own pace, and it was just too much for Hammond.
"Billy Joe has been working really hard in the gym, his hand is healthy."
However he paid down talk of a possible title fight against English super-middlewight champion Paul David.
"I'm not too worried about getting a title fight for Billy Joe yet. He's young, he's only 21. If you look at DeGale he's 24, but it would be nice to give Billy Joe a bite at the cherry at some stage."
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