Hemi Ahio lived up to his ring moniker, bringing ‘The Heat’ to Joshua Tufte in scoring a 2nd round knockout in their heavyweight co-feature battle Friday evening at Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The unbeaten New Zealander scored three knockdowns on the night, the last of which prompted an immediate stoppage at 1:10 of round two.

Quite a bit of hype surrounding Ahio heading into the night, despite the complete absence of an amateur career. Veteran fringe contender Malik Scott—a frequent sparring partner of his—called the undefeated heavyweight the hardest puncher with which he’s ever trained. It’s quite an endorsement as both have frequently trained with reigning heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder, whose 40 knockout in 42 fights carries the highest knockout percentage among any heavyweight title claimant in history with 40 or more fights.

Ahio (16-0, 11KOs) did his part to validate, though was given a headstart as the pudgy Tufte was built to be hit. Still, the 29-year old took his time early, not going full throttle with any particular punch as he worked behind a tapping jab and quick right hand.

A combination found its way to Tufte’s chin late in round one, depositing him to the canvas. Tufte beat the count and was able to make it out of the round, but wasn’t as fortunate in the second frame. Ahio went back on the attack, wisely targeting the body and coming back upstairs, putting North Carolina’s Tufte (19-4, 9KOs) back on the deck for a second time.

Once again, Tufte managed to beat the count, but a quick right hand upstairs forced him to a knee at center ring, this time for good as the referee waved off the fight without issuing a count.

Ahio is a stablemate of countryman Junior Fa, who faces 2004 U.S. Olympian and current heavyweight gatekeeper Devin Vargas in the evening’s main event.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox