Jessie Vargas returns to winning ways as he stops Sadam Ali in the ninth

Jessie Vargas has claimed the vacant WBO world welterweight title after an impressive ninth-round stoppage of Sadam Ali in Washington.

And the 26-year-old American could now be in line to again face one of the top names in the division.

Vargas lost his previous fight on points to Timothy Bradley but felt he was denied a chance to stop his opponent in the closing stages because the bout was accidentally stopped slightly early.

He came out on Saturday night with a point to prove and did some good work early on, but Ali landed some heavy shots as well, although his eye began to swell towards the end of a lively fourth round.

And Vargas finished the fifth round with a solid combination which seemed to hurt his rival.

Ali bounced back well though and was having a good eighth, only to be hit by a clean overhand right towards the end of the round that sent him to the floor.

Sensing victory, Vargas went on the offensive in the ninth and Ali went down again midway through the round when he was hit by a ferocious right, only just managing to beat the count.

However, ref Kenny Chevalier had to step in moments later as Vargas connected with yet another brutal right.

"I tore him apart piece by piece," said Vargas. "I was patient.

"I looked for openings and, when I had the openings, I fired the shots. This is what I have been working for all my life, since I was eight years old. Now I'm a two-time world champion."

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said: "I will put him with any welterweight in the world.

"Maybe the winner of the [Manny] Pacquiao-[Timothy] Bradley fight."

Vargas added: "I want Bradley. We have unfinished business."

Britain's Kell Brook, the IBF welterweight champ, could also emerge as a future opponent for Vargas.

Brook's next defence is against Kevin Bizier on 26 March.