Chris Keane has set his sights on making 2013 his year after making the perfect start last Friday evening (18th January).

The quiet man made a real statement by dismissing Shane McPhilbin inside three rounds to claim the Midlands Area Cruiserweight Title at a packed Walsall Town Hall.

The 26 year-old was the aggressor throughout and completely dominated what many had seen as a 50/50 fight against an opponent who has shared a ring with Enzo Maccarinelli and held the British Cruiserweight title just last year.

McPhilbin was taken apart with clinical precision. He was floored in the third by a powerful right hook  and after, two further knock downs courtesy of vicious body blows, Referee Robert Chalmers  put McPhilbin out of his misery.

It was an impressive performance from Keane, who is hoping to make further progress in the coming months.

“It was a good performance,” Keane told . “I know Shane and he’s a good kid but business is business.

“I was a bit out of range in the early rounds and I could have done a bit better but it’s one of those things and you learn from it.

“We had a chat afterwards and we wished each other all the best. It was good to get the knock-out, especially on my home turf. All my boys were there and I’d like to thank them for coming out, supporting me and paying their money to watch me. I’m glad they did.”

“I’m not bothered about talking outside of the ring, none of that stuff matters. It’s what you do inside the ring that counts and obviously I made it count so I’m happy.

“Hopefully there will be many more good things to come this year and we’ll see what happens from here. It’s been a good start and I want to build on it.”