Sunday 6 May 2018 08:59, UK
Joshua Buatsi blasted past Stephane Cuevas to continue his meteoric rise through the light-heavyweight ranks.
The Croydon 25-year-old produced a mature and patient performance before a series of thudding right hooks brought an end to proceedings in the fifth.
Buatsi became just the second man to beat the Frenchman as he improved his record to six wins from as many fights with four stoppages.
Working behind a ramrodding jab, the former amateur standout started the contest in menacing fashion, walking forward and firing away at will to the body as he quickly seized control of the contest.
Cuevas tried to get a foothold in the next but struggled to match the power and accuracy of his counterpart, Buatsi again hammering away to the midriff area.
It was a poised approach from the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist who controlled the next few, an eye-catching left hook causing damage before a quick flurry of shots breached the Frenchman's guard in a dominant fourth.
With more rounds in the bank, Buatsi put his foot on the throttle in the fifth and, after a crunching right hook sent Cuevas staggering, the Londoner went on the hunt and hammered away at will.
After another heavy right landed, the referee waved off the contest.
"I started a bit slow but I got the job done," Buatsi said afterwards.
"I landed a right hand and saw it shook him up so I decided to close the show.
"They're going to step me up and it's my job to to do the business."
