Light-welterweight Adam Azim stayed on track for an all-British world title fight with Dalton Smith with an emphatic third-round stoppage of Steve Claggett at Wembley Arena.
Azim dominated 50-fight veteran Claggett and a one-sided contest was halted midway through round three.
Azim is only the second fighter to stop Claggett and this statement triumph puts the Slough boxer front of the queue for a shot at the vacant IBF world title or a contest with long-term rival and current WBC champion Smith.
Even though Azim was expected to get the better of Canadian Claggett, he was 12 years younger than his opponent and way behind in the experience stakes, but immediately set about making his mark during a close opening round.
The bell for the second round signalled the start of a destructive three minutes for Azim, who landed blow after blow on the face of a bloodied Claggett.
Claggett was dropped to the canvas by Azim at the end of round two and although he was saved by the bell, further punishment followed and the bout was halted before the popular British fighter called on his BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom to put on a world title fight next.
"I had to train extra hard for 12 weeks because I know Steve Claggett is very game, very strong and he took Teofimo Lopez 12 rounds, but I did my job," Azim said inside the ring.
"I would like to thank my trainer Shane (McGuigan) for believing in me, my father, my brother and Ben Shalom. Ben, you need to get me a world title, man. Where is my world title? I need the IBF title.
"Let me get a belt first and then we can talk about Dalton Smith, but I'd fight him tomorrow if I have to."
Promoter Shalom added: "He beats every fighter in the 140 division, it has to be a world title next and he is an absolute superstar."
Azim's highly-respected trainer McGuigan backed his prospect to dominate, saying: "I don't just think he will win a world title, I think he is going to be a unified and multi-weight world champion."
