Terry Flanagan has set his sights on unifying the world lightweight division

Terry Flanagan has set his sights on unifying the world lightweight division after making a devastating first defence of his WBO title against Diego Magdaleno on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old stopped the highly-rated American inside two rounds at the Manchester Arena to strengthen his claims of being the best in an ultra-competitive 135lbs division.

Domestic rivals Anthony Crolla, Derry Matthews, Kevin Mitchell, Ricky Burns and Luke Campbell are all looking to press their claims, but Flanagan insists he is now ready to take on anyone.

"I would love to unify the division - I'm happy to take on anyone," Flanagan (29-0 12KOs) told sportinglife.com.

"[Fellow Mancunian] Anthony Crolla is fighting Darleys Perez again next month so me taking on the winner would be a unification fight. Jorge Linares is a good fighter, Derry Mathews - anyone. I just put my trust in my team and I'll fight whoever they tell me to.

I would love to unify the division - I'm happy to take on anyone.

"I don't really study other boxers or know too much about them. I just want to keep fighting and defend my title."

Flanagan won the vacant strap back in July when opponent Jose Zepeda was forced to retire at the end of the second round with a dislocated left shoulder.

Some critics - including an outgunned Magdaleno - questioned Flanagan's status as world champion but the man from Ancoats now hopes he has shut the doubters up for good.

"I think I must have shut the critics up now as Magdaleno was rated No 1 challenger and even the bookies had it as a 50/50 fight," said Flanagan, who is set to be back in action on December 19.

"It was supposed to be a close fight, but I made it look easy and I don't think he caught me with a punch. The way the first fight went was not ideal but I know I had the winning of it. I think people will always criticise - they'll probably criticise this saying Magdaleno couldn't take a punch. I've had it all through my career but hopefully it will stop now."

Magdaleno was down three times before referee Terry O'Connor had seen enough and halted it in the second round.

Flanagan was delighted to have an early night - but admitted even he was surprised with the finish.

"The gameplan was always just to box - tight hands, use my feet and make him miss," he said.

"I wanted to make a sharp start which I did and I was able to hit him early. I could then start to sense when he was starting his attacks. He swings wildly so I was trying to catch him down the middle.

"I don't think he was too hurt after the first knockdown but when he went down again I knew he was so it was time to put everything on him and I managed to get him out of there."

Delighted promoter Frank Warren insists Flanagan has earned his place on the world stage and hopes he can match the glory nights Ricky Hatton enjoyed in Manchester.

"It's possibly the best performance from a British world champion in the last couple of years. He destroyed the guy - it was a fabulous performance, it was exciting and he is now on the world stage," said Warren.

"Yes he won the title in what were obviously very controversial circumstances - but this first mandatory defence was against a tough guy in Magdaleno.

"I had some great nights here with Ricky Hatton, but I never saw him perform like that. He never took anyone out like that and to be honest I didn't think Terry had that in him."