Popular British heavyweight David Price returned to the win column with a first round stoppage of late replacement Istvan Ruzsinszky, who was unable to overcome huge height and reach disparities to land anything of consequence.

The brief encounter took place in Stuttgart.

Price (16-2, 14 knockouts) kept the Hungarian journeyman on the end of multiple left jabs from the start and when he drilled home a solid one two combination Ruzsinszky froze, giving the former Olympic bronze medalist enough time to repeat the dose and score a heavy knockdown.

The 25 year old rose gamely but his equilibrium faltered, forcing the referee’s intervention.

“I enjoyed fighting tonight but I didn’t get much time,” said Price, who weighed in at 248 pounds. “I can only fight what’s in front of me and that’s what you want to do to an opponent of that caliber. I’m looking forward to staying busy and climbing the rankings.”

This was Price’s first victory following two shattering losses to American veteran Tony Thompson last year.

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications.  Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing