Isaac Hardman KOs Beau Hartas in ‘truly scary’ scenes

Aussie boxing star Isaac Hardman has bounced straight back from his loss to Michael Zerafa with a terrifying punch that stunned even seasoned boxing fans.

Holy crap, that was a huge KO. Photo: Fox Sports

Isaac Hardman is back in the winner’s circle after an terrifying knockout that left even the likes of Aussie legend Jeff Fenech worried for his opponent’s health.

Hardman was fighting for the first time since his first career loss to Michael Zerafa in a world title eliminator in April against the previously undefeated Beau Hartas.

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But the gulf in talent was clear as Hardman went looking for the knockout from the outset, dropping heavy shots on his opponent.

With 14 seconds left in the first round, Hardman found the punch he was looking for as Hartas fell to the canvas unconscious.

“That is massive,” Jeff Fenech said on Main Event.

“That is an enormous shot from Isaac Hardman,” Ben Damon agreed. “Beau Hartas has been brutally and savagely knocked out. Major concern immediately for Beau Hartas, that was a monumental shot. Oh my goodness.

“That was a sickening, devastating knockout blow.”

Meanwhile in Australia on the Briedis Opetaia undercard, middleweight Isaac Hardman has just stopped Beau Hartas with a KO of the year contender in the first round 😮#HardmanHartas#BriedisOpetaiapic.twitter.com/iYuFxc9ZcE

— IFL TV (@IFLTV) July 2, 2022

Hartas was immediately seen to by doctors but was left on the canvas for some time.

Fenech added: “There’s still not much movement there. That’s boxing.”

It was quite some time before Hartas came to and Hardman came over to check on his condition once he had his gloves removed.

This was crazy. Photo: Fox Sports

When it was clear Hartas was going to be okay, Main Event did show a replay.

And upon watching the first replay, Fenech let out an involuntary noise.

“That right hand would have knocked out any one at any weight division in the world,” Damon said: “That is as pure a power shot as you will ever see.

“Beau Hartas was cold, not before he hit the ground …”

Fenech interrupted: “ … Yeah he was.”

Incredibly, Hartas was eventually helped to his feet and out of the ring, while Hardman clapped for him.

Damon said it was “truly scary stuff.”

Fenech added: “We love seeing the knockout, we love seeing the tough fights, we don’t like seeing that. That was scary.”

Boxing scene’s Jake Donovan wrote: “Monster first-round knockout for Isaac Hardman, who sends Beau Hartas crashing to the canvas with a single right hand. One-sided slaughter ends in an instant, with Hartas still on the canvas and receiving immediate medical attention”.

WWOS’ Simon Brundson added: “Holy s**t. Hardman knocks Hartas out cold in the first round. Fair bit of concern for the Canberra fighter.”

WBO cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie tweeted: “That’s Isaac hardman KO was insane!!”

Damon said that the KO of the year was wrapped up with that shot, something Hardman agreed with.

Hardman checked on Hartas. Photo: Fox Sports

However, the Queenslander said he was worried for his opponent’s health.

“Beau, I can’t fault him, he's a gentleman,” Hardman said in the ring.

“He had the courage to get in here after no one else in the division was going to get do it after a loss for me. Full respect for Beau. There needs to be more guys like Beau, he hasn’t fought in since 2020 and he jumped straight into the deep end.

“Credit to him, I hope he gets home safe. I know he’s got two kids and a wife. I brought out VB for us to share so I’ll make sure I come to see you and we’ll have one together.”

Hardman also called out “Russian hammer” Andrei Mikhailovich, who also called Hardman out after his last fight.

“There’s some Russian hammer walking around crushing cans and fighting duds, I’m a VB stubby, come try crush me, see what happens,” Hardman finished.