IAIN Weaver could fight for his first belt as early as March next year after securing his fifth professional victory with a first-round knockout on Saturday.

The Ferndown fighter is weighing up the option of contesting the vacant WBU Featherweight title at York Hall, Bethnall Green, London, on a bill sanctioned by the German Boxing Association.

It is understood Weaver and his team will discuss the prospect of the title tilt once they are back from Cataluna where his latest success was secured in the opening three minutes of the six-round bout against Brazilian veteran Edilson Rio.

'The Blessed One' made light work of his 37-year-old opponent who stepped in after scheduled rival Santiago Bustos pulled out due to illness.

Weaver's father Jay, who watched the bout in Barcelona, told the Daily Echo: “The first couple of shots really shook him (Rio) to his boots. Iain caught him with a tremendous right hook and uppercut and he never really recovered.

“He didn't know what to do from there and just went from corner to corner and every time he came out Iain pummelled him.

“The guy has been around for a while and gone the distance with some unbeaten fighters. He was dogged and experienced but his people said he had only been hit like that once before in his career which was a nice compliment.”

On the possibility of his son's first championship quest, Jay added: “Iain will take some time off over Christmas and might well fight for the belt in the New Year.

“There is a lot to be discussed and, either way, we will be trying to get another fight in before that but hopefully it comes together. This is the type of opportunity we have been waiting for.”