John Wayne Hibbert's world title ambitions were ruined by a sixth round stoppage defeat against Andrea Scarpa at The O2.
The Essex man had been hoping to climb the super-lightweight rankings, but was badly cut and floored by the classy Italian, who claimed the WBC international title.
A left hook opened a nasty cut above Hibbert's left eye in the second round and Scarpa continued to trouble the 31-year-old with his superior punch power.
Hibbert bravely marched forward, despite his badly bloodied face, and stumbled into a right hand that sent him tumbling to the canvas in the fifth round.
He stubbornly fought on until the end of the sixth, but the fight was waved off after the doctor inspected his worsening wound.
On the busy Anthony Joshua-Dominic Breazeale bill, Anthony Ogogo unloaded a big left hook to signal the end of his middleweight clash with Frane Radnic.
The 27-year-old's comeback from injury is gathering pace and he seemed determined to make a statement on a big stage, crashing an array of punches through the Croat's flimsy defences in the first round.
With just a minute remaining, Ogogo sent Radnic crashing to the canvas with a sharp left hand, and his corner waved it off after he staggered to his stool at the bell.
Kal Yafai stayed in contention for a possible world title fight following a first round stoppage win over Jozsef Ajtai.
The Birmingham man is set to challenge McJoe Arroyo for the IBF super-flyweight title and made short work of his Hungarian opponent, who was floored twice before the fight was waved off.
Exciting super-welterweight Ted Cheeseman had earlier started the action with his fifth straight victory after halting Danny Little in the fifth round.