By Elliot Foster

Anthony Yarde barely had seconds to digest his first title victory before his second opportunity was revealed.

The undefeated Ilford light-heavyweight dropped Chris Hobbs (now 6-2-1) six times at the Copper Box Arena in London before stopping him in the fourth round to claim the Southern Area title.

In truth, the showdown on the undercard of Liam Walsh’s challenge for Gervonta Davis’ IBF super-featherweight world title was one-sided.

But credit must go to Hobbs –– a serving soldier who is based in Nuneaton –– for his bravery. His corner withdrew him during the fight for his own safety, because he would have continued until he was beaten down.

And now Yarde will return to the ring on July 8, at the same venue, against Richard Baranyi of Hungary when he challenges for the 18-1 (12 KOs) man’s WBO European belt in the 175-pound division on the same bill as Billy Joe Saunders’ WBO middleweight title defence against Avtandil Khurtsidze.

Daniel Dubois moved to 3-0 with three early with a victory in under a minute.

The 19-year-old competently dispatched of David Howe, who is now 13-6 with six early, exclusively live on BoxNation and BT Sport.

Dubois made his debut just last month before fighting in April two weeks later and now getting things done after just 40 seconds at the Copper Box Arena in London.

It was a big right hand to the chin of Howe which forced the Sheffield man to collapse to the canvas.

The referee Jeff Hinds then rightly waved the fight off.

“I enjoyed that,” Dubois said afterwards, “and I’m glad I found a shot that put him away quickly.

“My footwork is very important because it means that I can throw my shots with speed and speed kills.”

Dubois will return to the ring on July 8 at the same venue on the same bill as Billy Joe Saunders’ WBO middleweight world title defence against Avtandil Khurtsidze.

And earlier in the card, Joe Pigford kept up his undefeated ledger with a devastating stoppage of previously unbeaten Aarron Morgan.

The pair were 12-0, with 11 and eight early endings respectively, going in to the fight, but it was Pigford –– who was far from perfect during the fight –– who came out on top after a right hand and left hook combination floored Morgan before the referee waved the fight off instantly, deeming the Barking man to be in no position to continue after the concluding barrage midway through round six.

Morgan received medical attention after being knocked out but thankfully rose to his feet and was guided back to his dressing room.