Luke Campbell knocks out Aboubeker Bechelaghem in Birmingham

Luke Campbell continued on his path to a potential showdown with Tommy Coyle with a knockout win over Aboubeker Bechelaghem in Birmingham.

The Olympic gold medal winner did the damage on the inside, hurting Bechelaghem with a short right hook at close quarters in the third round.

The Frenchman, who had never been stopped in nine outings, was immediately stung and Campbell increased the volume as he smelled blood.

A barrage of hooks with Bechelaghem backed into the corner forced the towel to be thrown in as the referee stepped in.

The opening two periods of the eight-round lightweight contest at the Barclaycard Arena were closer but Campbell would have done enough to edge the scorecards until he made it a formality with a brutal explosion in the third.

“Each fight I get in there and I’m learning,” Campbell told Sky Sports. “It’s a professional game, but each fight I’m learning and I’m getting better.

“I’ve stopped a kid there that’s never been stopped, so I couldn’t ask for more.”

“He was a tough test and was there for the full night, but I hit him with that shot and got him out of there.”

Campbell is now keen to face fellow Hull puncher Coyle later this summer.

“Of course, there’s nothing I would like more that to finish Tommy Coyle in that ring.”