John Murray retained the British lightweight title thanks to an eighth-round stoppage of challenger Lee McAllister.
Champion keeps his belt after thrilling defence in Wigan
John Murray retained the British lightweight title thanks to an eighth-round stoppage of challenger Lee McAllister.
A crunching left hand to the body made sure the Mancunian hung onto the belt he had claimed with victory over Lee Meager last year.
Back at the Robin Park venue where he became champion, Murray showed off his skills with a gritty display that should lead to bigger fights in the future.
However, he was certainly made to work hard for his win by McAllister, who lived up to his promise of putting his hometown of Aberdeen on the boxing map.
Lonsdale challenge
Despite having held little-regarded WBU lightweight and light-welterweight titles, the Scot was challenging for the Lonsdale belt for the first time.
The big occasion didn't seem to bother him in the opening round, though, as he dominated with some slick boxing on the move.
Murray responded to his opponent's lively start by stepping up the pace and towards the end of the third he had McAllister pinned against the ropes.
Neither man was willing to give ground and the fact there were punches traded after the bell to end the fourth round proved there was no love lost between the pair either.
But as the fight wore on Murray's more aggressive tactics began to give him the upperhand as McAllister appeared increasingly deflated.
The end came courtesy of a world-class punch that left 'The Aberdeen Assasin' struggling to beat the count before referee Howard Foster waved the bout off.
Fury shines
On the undercard, Lenny Daws proved too strong for stand-in opponent Sergejs Savrinovics to record his 18th win in his 20-fight career.
The bout was stopped towards the end of the sixth round with the Latvian, a late replacement for Dean Harrison, coming under intense punishment.
It was also a successful night for promising British heavyweight Tyson Fury, as he dismantled experienced German Marcel Zeller inside three rounds.
Despite being in just his second professional fight, Mancuncian Fury bombared his opponent with powerful shots throughout before the referee stepped in to bring about an early finish.
