Dillian Whyte finally broke Ebenezer Tetteh's stubborn resistance with a seventh-round stoppage win in Gibraltar.
Whyte, who was returning to the ring for the first time since March, was given a harder fight than expected by the spirited Tetteh who withstood a string of punishing shots before he was pulled out of the fight before the eighth.
Whyte wobbled Tetteh with a series of stiff jabs in the opening round, provoking a wild response from the Ghanaian, who replied with wild, looping hooks.
A reckless encounter continued into the second round, with Tetteh complaining in vain about body shots while trading shots with Whyte from close range.
The pace dropped in the third as Whyte landed a short, straight right hand.
Tetteh marched forward in the fourth round and, despite blood dripping from his nose, briefly troubled Whyte with a crude onslaught.
Whyte controlled the fifth round with a stabbing jab that further damaged Tetteh's bloodied features.
A blistering attack from Whyte had Tetteh in serious trouble in the sixth but the Brit slipped to the canvas amid a missed hook and the referee ruled out a knockdown.
Tetteh nearly toppled over at the end of the seventh and he was spared more punishment as the fight was waved off after he wearily returned to the corner.
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