His 40th win was a statement win.

Veteran Butler Cubs boxer Billy Wolfe earned a hard-fought split decision over Ray Moore of Ellwood City in the Western Pennsylvania Gold Gloves finals only two months earlier.

Their rematch was much anticipated Saturday night in the Butler Cubs gym — but didn't last long.

Wolfe, 16, of Worthington scored a technical knockout just 45 seconds into the bout, improving his amateur record to 40-10.

“I just think the atmosphere was different,” Wolfe said. “I love fighting at home. I wanted to put on a good show.

“I caught him early with that hook. I knew I hurt him. I could see it in his eyes ... He didn't want anymore.”

Wolfe scored a solid right jab seconds into the fight. He then rocked Moore with a left hook before dropping him to the canvas with a straight right.

Moore took a standing-8 count after getting to his feet.

“I think he wanted to stop right there, but the referee didn't do anything,” Wolfe said.

Immediately after the standing-8 count, Wolfe went on the attack. A series of blows to the body and head sent Moore reeling against the ropes. The referee stepped between the fighters to administer a second standing-8 count.

Before he got to four, he signaled the end of the fight.

“We have a lot of respect for Ray Moore,” said Bill Wolfe, Butler Cubs boxing trainer and Billy's father. “But you can sing the praises of any fighter all you want. You never know how a guy is gonna react when he gets punched.

“Billy did well tonight. He knew he hurt him early and he capitalized on it.”

Two other Cubs boxers earned wins on Saturday's card. Dillon Weston, 24, scored a unanimous decision over Sage Hicks of Boyce AC and Mike Graham, 34, did likewise over Brian Walker of the James 5:16 gym in Tarentum.

Weston made his boxing debut after winning his first four amateur MMA bouts. Hicks was unbeaten in five amateur fights.

“I know I can be aggressive and I have a wrestler's mentality,” Weston said. “The biggest thing I wanted to do tonight was fight smart.

“That guy (Hicks) is a good counter-puncher and I didn't want to get caught. I had to stay outside because I knew I had a long reach. If I got inside ... It would have felt like wrestling.”

Graham fought for the first time in 18 months. He is 2-1 as an amateur and didn't make his debut until age 31.

“It's something I've always wanted to do,” he said of boxing. “I've been in the gym for a while.

“I loved this. It's such a rush in there, all of those people cheering for you. I'm going to keep going with this.”

Cubs boxer Lucas Adams, 21, lost a split decision to Adam Littlejohn of Heilman's gym in Punxsutawney. Littlejohn is 41-12 and will turn pro for his next fight.

Adams fell to 15-16 with the loss.

“I accepted this fight at 8 p.m. last night (Friday),” Adams said. “I knew the guy had a lot more experience than me and that he was planning to turn pro.

“I took the fight because I didn't want to pass on fighting in my hometown. You don't get many chances to do that.”

Adams said after the bell sounded to end the third round that “I was hoping I won, but felt like he deserved to win.

“My right hand was probably there to throw, but I fought cautiously. Littlejohn excels as a counter-puncher and I had to respect that.”

Cubs boxer Cody Redfoot, 27, fighting for the first time in 13 years, lost a unanimous decision to Anton Kotok (7-2) of Erie.

“Most of our guys were underdogs tonight,” trainer Wolfe admitted. “You have to take challenging fights sometimes to get guys to come in when you're hosting a show.

“All of our guys did well. I'm happy with what I saw tonight.”

A number of Cubs fighters will return to the ring for a June 24 show in Kittanning.

BUTLER CUBS AMATEUR BOXING SHOW June 3

Matt Lesox (Kastle Boxing, Johnstown) split dec. over Issac Gunther (Mac Fitness, Wexford), 140 pounds

Jamie McCabe (Wolf Pack, Carnegie) unanimous dec. over Cindy Ross (Altoona), 145 pounds

Adam Littlejohn (Heilman's-Punxsutawney) split dec. over Lucas Adams (Butler Cubs), 170 pounds

Anton Kotok (Erie-Lower East Side) unanimous dec. over Cody Redfoot (Butler Cubs), 155 pounds

Mike Graham (Butler Cubs) unanimous dec. over Brian Walker (James 5:16, Tarentum). 135 pounds

Matt Ehret (Wolf Pack, Carnegie) unanimous dec. over Robert Orus (Uniontown), 150 pounds

Jordan Zlacki (James 5:16, Tarentum) unanimous dec. over Jim Clair (Boyce AC), 155 pounds

Dillon Weston (Butler Cubs) unanimous dec. over Sage Hicks (Boyce AC), 155 pounds

Billy Wolfe (Butler Cubs) 1st round TKO over Ray Moore (Ellwood City), 140 pounds