Joshua vs Breazeale: Ohara Davies and Craig Richards record stoppage wins at York Hall

Rising stars Ohara Davies and Craig Richards lit up the Anthony Joshua v Dominic Breazeale media workout at York Hall with contrasting stoppage victories.

English lightweight champion Davies (12-0-KO10) was handed the extra pressure of fighting unbeaten Zoltan Szabo in between the training sessions of IBF world heavyweight champion Joshua and his challenger Breazeale.

Sporting an eye-catching bleached, cropped hairdo, the outspoken Hackney boxer was stepping up in class against the dangerous Hungarian and sensibly exercised some caution in the first 30 seconds before unleashing a meaningful left hook.

It was quickly apparent that Szabo was unbeaten for a reason as he evaded punches effectively, exhibited an impressive chin and threw back with determination.

The power of Davies kept the underdog from showing too much ambition, though, as the home fighter upped his output in the second with a swift left hook and a piercing right cross.

The crowd responded when Davies cranked up the heat further with hooks off either hand in the third and he continued to outgun the spirited Szabo, who beat Zack Davies at the same venue back in March.

After seeing Szabo choose to stand rather than sit between rounds, Davies administered the telling blow in the fourth - a right cross that inflicted a nasty cut on the outside of his opponent's left eye socket.

Although Szabo replied to an overhand right with work of his own, the ringside doctor advised the fight be called off early in the fifth, prompting the visitor to jump up and down in a slightly comic display of frustration.

Davies, who had called out the likes of Dave Ryan and the winner of Tyrone Nurse v Tommy Coyle, told Sky Sports afterwards: "He was the best guy I've fought so far.

"I knew he'd be tough because of his undefeated record and beating Zack Davies. I didn't underestimate him. I wasn't surprised it was stopped because the cut was bad and was only going to get worse.

I believe I'm 100% ready for Dave Ryan now. Out of all the UK super-lightweights, he's the one I think would give me the best fight.

"The atmosphere was great. I don't think I've fought in front of a crowd that lively before. I loved it and I can't wait for another chance to do that again.

"I know that Dave Ryan has beaten people better than Szabo but I didn't come out of first gear against him and he wasn't a joke. The fact I made it look easy proves that it's time to go up a level and I believe I'm 100 per cent ready for Ryan now. Out of all the UK super-lightweights, he's the one I think would give me the best fight."

Earlier in the night, Richards had enjoyed a swifter victory over Richard Horton, moving to 4-0 with a thrilling first-round stoppage.

The south Londoner exhibited impressive speed early on and sized up his man with several sweetly timed left hooks. Two heavy right hands soon followed and Horton was deposited to the canvas with an exuberant Richards able to land another left before the count began.

'Spider' was clearly in no mood to hang around and renewed the assault as soon as the referee was satisfied Horton was able to continue. Lefts and rights were raining in in equal measure and after a sharp uppercut-to-right-cross, there was no getting up for Horton a second time.

We're looking for titles. That's what we're after so the only thing I can advise is that if you want to fight me, vacate.

Richards told Sky Sports afterwards: "That was a good night. I wanted to make a statement and I knew I was going to do that. I sat down with Peter Sims and worked out a game plan and then I executed it. We work hard in the gym all the time and we have to improve.

"If you're a super-middleweight then you're on my list. We're looking for titles. That's what we're after so the only thing I can advise is that if you don't want to fight me, vacate when I come up."

Trainer Sims said: "Titles, now. We want to go the traditional route of Southern Area, English and then British title. Like he says, if you don't want to fight him then vacate, because he's a 6ft 3in super-middleweight and he can punch."

Watch Anthony Joshua vs Dominic Breazeale live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, June 25. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.