British light-middleweight champion Brian Rose took another step towards a world-title shot with a third-round stoppage of Vivian Harris on Friday night.

'The Lion' jumped all over the former world light-welterweight champion from the off at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

And when the Guyanan was sent tumbling to the canvas in the third round by a big right hand, the end was near.

The referee then stepped in to spare Harris further punishment.

It was Harris' seventh defeat in his last 10 fights and retirement surely beckons.

Rose, however, is on an upward curve and will now look to the future. The European title has been eyed by the Briton in the past.

That would be another stepping stone on the route to the world crown for Rose, who improved his record to 21-1-1 with Friday's victory.