Gradus Kraus expected a serious test from Sean Hemphill on Saturday night. Instead, the Dutch light heavyweight tore through him in 63 seconds at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.
Kraus (12-0, 11 KOs) attacked immediately, backing Hemphill into the corner while denying him any opportunity to settle into the fight. Once the punches began landing, Hemphill could not slow the assault or escape.
The 25-year-old connected with a straight right before launching a barrage against his pinned opponent. Referee John Latham stepped in, stopping the scheduled 10-rounder at 1:03 of the opening round.
It proved a surprisingly easy night against an opponent who looked capable of making him work.
Hemphill (19-4, 11 KOs) had previously shown he could compete against respectable opposition. The New Orleans native defeated Mark Jeffers by majority decision in England and went the distance with former IBF super middleweight champion William Scull last year. None of that experience helped him Saturday.
Kraus overwhelmed him before the fight had time to develop, recording his fifth first-round stoppage while continuing a destructive start to his professional career. Eleven of his 12 opponents have failed to hear the final bell.
Now Kraus needs tougher competition. At 6-foot-2 with size, aggression and serious power at 175 pounds, Kraus has moved beyond opponents brought in primarily to give him rounds. Hemphill was supposed to test him and lasted barely a minute.
Kraus made it clear afterward that he wants a more difficult opponent next.
“There should be a better guy opposite me,” Kraus said.
After what happened in Leeds, his handlers should give him exactly that.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/09 at 1:41 PM
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