Unbeaten Belfast boxer Michael Conlan boosted his quest for a world title crack with a comfortable win over Diego Ruiz at a packed Falls Park.
Conlan, roared on by 10,000 fans inside the outdoor arena, outclassed the Argentinian to lift the vacant WBA and WBO Inter-Continental Feather titles.
Top rank CEO and promoter Bob Arum, watching on at ringside, has vowed to tee up a high profile world title fight for Conlan next year and this was another step towards that goal.
The former Olympian, born a short distance from Falls Park, was slick, accurate and comfortably ahead at the midway point of the fight.
In contrast Ruiz, fighting outside his native Argentina for the first time in 24 pro fights, looked out of sorts as Conlan forced him onto the ropes at the end of the eighth.
The end came midway through the ninth round when Ruiz fell to his knees after a savage body blow.
The 25-year-old struggled back to his feet, but a further barrage of blows saw his corner throw in the towel.
Fighting for only the second time in Belfast, this was an unflappable display from Conlan, but bigger tests lie ahead and possible world title fights with the likes of Josh Warrington and Leo Santa Cruz next year.
Elsewhere, Paddy ‘Pat-Man’ Gallagher lost a controversial points decision to Welshman Chris Jenkins for the vacant British and Commonwealth Welterweight Titles.
Gallagher had Jenkins down at the end of the sixth, but it went to the score cards after the fight was stopped in the ninth for a serious cut above Jenkins’ left eye.
And it was cruel luck on Pat-Man as the Swansea fighter was awarded the win 86-85 by all three judges on a technical unanimous decision.
Meanwhile, former Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes got back to winning ways with a comfortable points victory over Joel Sanchez.
Despite suffering an early cut, Barnes - impressing back down at flyweight - was awarded five of the six rounds to secure his first victory in 21 months.
Elsewhere, undefeated Belfast boxer Padraig ‘The Hammer’ McCrory won the vacant BUI Celtic Super Middleweight title with a late stoppage win over Steven Collins Jr.
Luke Keeler and Sean McComb also recorded Ws in front of 10,000 fight fans in West Belfast.
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
