A stunning left hook from Quinlan ended his bout against Daniel Geale in Launceston in an instant.

Geale hit the canvas and managed to stumble to his feet but still looked out of it and referee Gary Ingraham swiftly stopped the fight.

Quinlan’s camp celebrated wildly as the 27-year-old claimed the vacant world title while Geale received medical treatment and the commiserations of wife Sheena and father Wayne.

Eventually, the 35-year-old father-of-four regained his feet, embraced Quinlan and even posed for pictures.

Quinlan maintained the respect he showed at the pre-fight formalities, restraining his obvious delight long enough to check on the welfare of a fighter he grew up idolising.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I worked hard for this but I really did not enjoy the circumstances.”

Both fighters were immediately asked about the possibility of a rematch and were swift to agree to the prospect.

Geale and Quinlan took to the ring 45 minutes later than scheduled after a packed and pulsating undercard had kept the crowd entertained.

The pair entered to the usual blasting rock music, Geale looking sufficiently relaxed to join in the singing of Advance Australia Fair.

Sporting a large green ribbon on his shorts signifying his support for Lymphoma Australia, Geale landed a strong left jab midway through the opening round but Quinlan was quick to hit back.

The fight seemed to be evenly matched before Quinlan landed the punch that changed everything.

Quinlan has only fought 12 times since turning professional in 2008 and Geale represented a marked step up in class, however the 27-year-old earned his third consecutive stoppage win since being outpointed by Jake Carr in December 2014.

Geale has now lost four of his last six fights, including three high-profile losses in the US, denting a pro career that had previously seen just one defeat in 26.

The veteran previously held IBO, IBF and WBA world titles but all  at the lighter middleweight.

Geale thanked his army of Tasmanian supporters after his long-awaited boxing home-coming.

“Obviously I’m very disappointed,” the Launceston-born fighter told the Silverdome crowd.

“I want to thank everybody from Tasmania and especially Launceston that came out. You are absolute legends. 

“You are awesome. I love coming back to  to Tasmania, it’s the best place in the world.

“I got caught, that happens in boxing. I’ve been in the ring with some of the toughest fighters in the world and I’m still here and looking forward to whatever comes next.

“I’m sorry it did not turn out the way we wanted it to. That’s life, that’s boxing. I just got caught with a punch and I should not have. I was blindsided.”

- Rob Shaw