The primary round marked the primary time an opponent had survived the opening three minutes against Atang as knowledgeable. It did little to vary the tone of the fight. Atang stayed composed, mixed head and body shots, and showed no response when he absorbed a clean overhand right late within the round.
Within the second round, the pressure became heavier. Boucetta was pushed back repeatedly and spent many of the round reacting slightly than initiating. Atang continued to work to the body and closed distance without loading up.
The top got here within the third. Atang hurt Boucetta with hooks upstairs before closing the gap and unloading a sustained body attack. Boucetta went down from the buildup and was unable to beat the count, prompting the stoppage.
Atang improved to 4-0 with 4 knockouts. Boucetta dropped to 9-18, continuing a pattern seen in previous fights against higher level prospects, including bouts with Tony Yoka, Moses Itauma, and Dave Allen.
Atang’s size, measured approach, and early ending ability have already led to comparisons with a young Anthony Joshua, though those parallels remain superficial at this stage. What mattered here was discipline. Atang didn’t chase the knockout, stayed balanced, and finished when the opening presented itself.
It was the sort of controlled performance expected at this level. The true questions will only arrive when the opposition changes.