Liam Smith dropped and stopped Chris Eubank Jr in an explosive fourth round to settle their bitter rivalry in style.
The opening nine minutes had been evenly fought in Manchester before Smith launched what proved to be the fight-finishing attack, dropping Eubank Jr to leave the son-of-a-legend staggering around the ring. He was able to convince the referee to allow him to continue but he soon hit the canvas again to leave the official with no choice but to wave off the bout.
"I don't know if it was one shot it was a few nice ones," said Smith. "I told you all week he's got a great chin, I've got a great chin and nobody can not be hurt. I was just getting used to his very long arms, he's very good at jabbing and pulling away. I'm kind of known as a slow starter but slow starter or not it doesn't matter.
"I said if I catch someone they're not seeing the final bell. I couldn't let Chris off the hook, his fitness and his condition let him come back. "This is the best atmosphere, the very top. Everything about tonight puts this right at the top. Doing what nobody's done, George Groves is a big puncher at 168lb and he couldn't do that.
"I said to you all week don't be kidded that Chris can't be hurt because he's got a very good chin - someone hits you on the spot you're going, that's a fact." Eubank Jr, who suffered the third defeat of his career, added: "The better man won but I felt I could have gone on."
Eubank Jr was fighting for the first time in almost 12 months having seen his clash with Conor Benn postponed last October when his rival failed a drug test. Smith on the other hand had fought twice since Eubank Jr's last outing with both men aware defeat would send them back to the drawing board.
An already tense build-up descended into disgrace in the 48 hours before the first bell when Sky Sports were forced to apologise for "homophobic" comments issued during the press conference. Smith later apologised before Eubank Jr wore a rainbow armband to weigh in on Friday.
But the rivals touched gloves before the first round as Eubank Jr looked to establish his authority with his jab. It was Smith who landed the best shot of the session, however, when a right hand gave his opponent food for thought.
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The second round followed a similar pattern with Eubank Jr the busier fighter; but Smith the more accurate with his hands. But Eubank Jr improved in the third, punctuating it with a series of accurate uppercuts as he made his presence felt.
But Smith launched a stunning attack in the fourth stanza, dropping Eubank Jr with a huge left hook following a barrage of shots in the corner. Eubank Jr was out on his feet but battled on bravely before another salvo saw him tumble to the ground before referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight.
On the undercard, Richard Riakporhe set up a cruiserweight world title shot with a fourth-round stoppage of Krzysztof Glowacki. Rakporhe staggered the former world champion in the second round only for the Pole recovered well.
But he couldn't withstand the Londoner's power for long with the referee stepping in during the fourth round following another onslaught. Riakporhe will now target a shot against either of the four reigning champions with IBF ruler Jai Opetaia his most-likely opponent.
