Sunday 28 April 2019 11:46, UK
Regis Prograis snatched the WBA super-lightweight title away from Kiryl Relikh after stopping the Belarusian in six rounds to reach the World Boxing Super Series final.
The hometown fighter dominated in a one-sided contest against Relikh at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, as he picked up the first professional title of his career.
Prograis took advantage of a hand injury sustained by Relikh in the opening round, sending the 29-year-old to the canvas with a crunching body shot.
And the southpaw continued to pepper Relikh with shots in the second before a moment of controversy when Prograis was wobbled by a shot after the bell.
But Prograis had recovered by the time round three got underway and continued the onslaught over the next three rounds.
After the fifth, Relikh was asked by his corner if he could continue. Relikh implored his corner to allow him to try and turn the bout around but after enduring more punishment his team threw the towel in midway through the sixth.
The win for Prograis takes him to 24-0 (KO20) and the 30-year-old will now face the winner of the May 18 showdown between IBF champion Ivan Baranchyk and unbeaten Scotsman Josh Taylor, live on Sky Sports, from Glasgow's Hydro Arena.
Pressed on who he wanted to fight in the WBSS final, Prograis said: "I honestly want to fight Josh Taylor more because some people say he can beat me, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter."
In the bantamweight tournament, Nonito Donaire demonstrated his fearsome punching power by knocking Stephon Young out with a single clean shot in the sixth round.
Young was a late replacement for South Africa's Zolani Tete, who pulled out of the bout earlier this week due to a shoulder injury.
Donaire was looking for the big punch from the outset and was undeterred despite being caught by a few decent shots from Young in the early rounds.
And 'The Filipino Flash' retained his WBA (Super) in fine style with a brutal left hook in the sixth round which caught the American straight on the chin.
The win puts Donaire on course for a mouthwatering showdown with Naoya Inoue, provided the Japanese fighter can get past tough Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez on May 18.
