Popular heavyweight Dave Allen delivered a spectacular conclusion to his rematch with Johnny Fisher, producing a moment of brilliance to end the contest emphatically.
Up until that dramatic fifth-round finish, `The Doncaster De La Hoya` had been trailing significantly on the scorecards, making his knockout victory a truly stunning reversal of fortune.
This stoppage win provides a much clearer outcome compared to the controversial result of their initial meeting last December.
In that first encounter, many felt Allen deserved the win, only for Fisher to be awarded a contentious split decision victory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This time around, however, the 33-year-old left no doubt, cementing his triumph at the Copper Box Arena in London, England.
As anticipated, a charged atmosphere set the stage for their eagerly awaited clash, providing an electric backdrop for what was expected to be a fiery fight from the opening bell.
Surprisingly, the bout began with a somewhat cautious approach from both fighters. Fisher maintained distance with his jab, while Allen, despite moving forward, kept his offensive output limited.
The second round saw a similar pattern, with Fisher abandoning his usual aggressive style, staying behind his lead hand and rarely engaging in close-range exchanges.
Allen, meanwhile, landed a few of his characteristic overhand rights but mostly seemed content to wait patiently for his opportunities.
Fisher increased his intensity in the third round, consistently working his jab from range and finding success with some sharp uppercuts on the inside.
Allen responded effectively in the next round, snapping back the 26-year-old`s head with perhaps his best shot of the fight up to that point – a piercing right uppercut.
With Fisher continuing to box evasively on the outside, it wasn`t long before his more pressuring opponent injected significant force into their domestic showdown.
A left hook disoriented Fisher in the fifth round, followed shortly by a smooth combination that sent him to the canvas.
Despite managing to get back on his feet, Fisher was immediately caught by another powerful left hook, which landed flush on his chin, prompting his corner to wisely throw in the towel.
Earlier on the card, George Liddard dominated his British middleweight title eliminator, securing a destructive fifth-round finish over Aaron Sutton.
Liddard, aged 22, scored his first knockdown within the opening minute, flooring Sutton two more times before Sutton`s corner intervened by throwing in the towel.
Elsewhere, Kieron Conway claimed the vacant British middleweight title with an impressive fourth-round stoppage victory against Gerome Warburton.
A punishing left hook to the body sealed Conway`s one-sided win, propelling the Northampton fighter closer to European honours.
Opening the main portion of the event, Jimmy Sains went the distance for the first time in his young professional career, winning the middleweight Southern Area crown via a wide unanimous decision over Gideon Onyenani.
