Folkestone fighter Josh Kennedy took another big stride towards the big time as he landed his first belt as a pro, earning the title of British Boxing Board of Control Southern Area champion.

The 25-year-old challenger –known as Handsome – overcame the vastly more experienced Jamie Speight in a featherweight contest at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday night.

The third-round stoppage was the fifth win via knockout in Kennedy’s eight-fight career and earned a belt 28-year-old Speight had held since May 2015.

Kennedy said: “It was by far the biggest test of my career. He has been in there with Commonwealth champions and gone the distance, he’s gone 10 rounds, and I’ve gone and destroyed him in three rounds.

“I knew he was durable and tends to go the distance, so to stop him in three rounds was a real statement from me.”

He added: “He has only been stopped four times in his career and the three previous stoppages were all body shots so it was pleasing to finish him off with a head shot coming over the top.

“It was good to show I can box as well as dig.”

Kennedy had to go up in weight a quarter-of-a-stone to fight at featherweight as he could not find anyone to take him on for the vacant English bantamweight title, although he said: “It wasn’t a problem for me. I boxed for 10 years as an amateur at featherweight.”

He will drop back down again in March to fight for the English super bantamweight title, currently held by Shaun Davis.

Kennedy said: “Shaun was there the other night to watch me. He’s good, he’s small, only 5’4” whereas I’m 5’8” which is tall for the division. He’s not the strongest but he is super fit.”

He added: “It’s up to him whether he takes the fight or relinquish the belt. I have a feeling he might vacate it.

“He’s got everything to lose and nothing to gain by beating me. He’s got a WBC ranking and if I were to beat him, I’d take that.

“If he does relinquish, then the BBoC will put someone forward to fight me for the belt.”

Last January Kennedy fought on the undercard of a David Haye fight at the O2 and he’s hoping his title shot – against Davis or anyone else – might be considered for the Haye v Tony Bellew fight in early March.

He said: “We’ll have to have a talk about it over the next few weeks. Purse bids haven’t gone in yet. Hopefully, it will televised, too.

“I don’t mind where it is, I’ve fought at the O2 in front of thousands and it was one of my best performances. I am a showman and perform better in front of the bigger crowds.”