Caoimhin Agyarko claimed the WBA International middleweight title with a stoppage win over Noe Larios Jr on Saturday night.
The Belfast middleweight had to be patient on his Matchroom debut before earning his TKO victory in the ninth round at the M&S Bank Arena.
Larios managed to soak up Agyarko's power punching until the penultimate round, but a vicious right-left combination did the damage before a flurry of punches forced referee Howard Foster to step in to halt the contest.
The win moves Agyarko to 10-0 as a professional, while Larios was suffering his first defeat in the paid ranks.
Former Holy Trinity amateur Agyarko dominated from the outset, landing a number of power shots with some spiteful punching.
To his credit, Larois withstood a lot of earlier pressure as Agyarko maintained a patient approach in front of a healthy travelling support.
Larios was reluctant to engage but had to start trading as the rounds played out in Agyarko's favour.
The Belfast fighter was keen to get the stoppage, and his moment arrived in the ninth.
A crisp right was followed by a left hook which rocked Larios back on his heels, and Agyarko pounced as his opponent bounced on the ropes, landing another couple of heavy blows before referee Foster stepped in.
The official timing of the stoppage came at two minutes, eight seconds of the ninth round as Agyarko claimed his first professional title.
