Sunday 12 October 2014 10:28, UK
Lee Selby will get his shot at the IBF featherweight world title.
The Welshman outclassed Joel Brunker for nine one-sided rounds and can now sit and wait to find out when and who he will be fighting for the title.
The current champion Russia's Evgeny Gradovich defends against Jayson Velez in November but whoever he faces, Selby looked ready for the challenge.
The ninth-round finish was clinical and class and showed that after a quiet start, he is now ready to mix it with the very best in the featherweight world.
It was certainly easier than many expected with the Australian visitor also unbeaten and rumoured to be ready to give Selby his toughest test to date.
A cautious start from the Welshman suggested just that but by the second round he knew he had Brunker's number. A nice left-right combination showed his skills and by the fourth he was picking the Australian at ease.
Selby then threw his jab into play and that kept him not only in front but also in control of what was turning into a fairly routine win. However by the fifth there were signs that Brunker was as tough as many though and soaked up more shots, without effect.
It was by the seventh that Selby was starting to wonder if he could produce the stoppage that people wanted to see and that the rest of the featherweight world champions needed to see.
As soon as I can bring my sparrign skills in the gym into the ring you will see a true champion, who can mix it with anyone
Well it came after a quiet start to the ninth but as soon as a fierce left hook hammered into the Australian's ribs, it signalled a seriously clinical finish from Selby.
The first shot took his sails away and then he moved in with a left-right-left, not once but twice, then a left to the head that finally left Brunker almost sitting on the bottom rope, barely able to balance, never mind box back.
The referee rightly stepped in and with a record of 20-0 now, Selby could well be Britain's next world champion.
"There still a very, very lot more to come," he told Sky Sports.
"As soon as I can bring my sparrign skills in the gym into the ring you will see a true champion, who can mix it with anyone."
