LUKE Blackledge’s dream of claiming the Commonwealth super middleweight title was ended inside the first round at Manchester’s Phones 4U Arena.

Accrington’s Blackledge was handed the chance to challenge title holder Rocky Fielding at only three days’ notice and was knocked out after only 152 seconds, on the undercard to Carl Froch’s world title clash with George Groves.

Fielding – the cousin of England football ace Steven Gerrard – extended his unbeaten record to 16 fights as a left hook laid Blackledge out on the canvas and forced referee Victor Loughlin to call a halt to the fight before he had even completed the count.

Blackledge had been sparring with Froch in recent weeks in preparation for a shot at Paul Smith’s British title, only for that fight to be thrown into doubt after Smith opted to split with promoter Frank Warren.

That meant he opted to take the fight with Fielding when the Liverpudlian saw two opponents pull out in quick succession on Wednesday.

Blackledge, who is trained by Kevin Maree in Gisburn, was tipped to pull off an upset.

But instead he slipped to his second professional defeat.

The 23-year-old’s clash with Fielding was the first fight of the televised bill at the Phones 4U Arena on Saturday night and darts star Phil Taylor was among those watching on from ringside.

But Fielding caught Blackledge with some early shots in the first round and rocked him with an upper cut.

Seconds later, with Blackledge on the ropes, Fielding connected with a left hook that sent the East Lancashire man to the canvas.

With Blackledge hurt and looking unlikely to get up, the referee abandoned the count and called a half to the fight.

Blackledge remained down for a couple of minutes and paramedics entering the ring to care for the fighter, who was soon able to return to his feet.

But Maree said there were no concerns about his man’s conditions.

“Luke’s fine,” said Mareer.

“I am proud of him for taking the fight at a couple of days notice. He will learn from this and be back.”

Fielding was not concerned by pre-fight talk of the contest being in the balance and said: ““I was expecting some tough rounds, he’s a tough kid, he was sparring with Froch and I was hearing all kinds all week that it was a 50/50 fight.

“I wanted to make him miss and catch him with the left hand, and that’s what I seemed to catch him with.

“Everyone’s seen how good I can be and I hope I’ve answered a few questions.”

Meanwhile, Chorley’s rising star Jack Catterall made it six wins out of six as a professional after a points triumph over Frenchman Renald Garrido at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.

Light welterweight Catterall, 20, eased to victory in the six-round contest 59-56.