Billy Joe Saunders warmed up for his WBO world middleweight title showdown with Ireland's Andy Lee in September by halting Yoann Bloyer in four rounds at Wembley Arena on Friday night.
The Hatfield fighter (22-0 12KOs) had not been in the ring since outpointing Chris Eubank Jr last November and wanted some rounds under his belt before facing champion Lee in Limerick.
Although he was caught by a couple of shots, southpaw Saunders always had too much for the game Frenchman who was dropped by a left upper cut in the third. He beat the count but was swiftly dropped by a similar punch as the Briton took charge.
It was perhaps a surprise Bloyer came out for the fourth but when he went down for a third time after a straight left to the chin the fight was waved off after 53 seconds.
Big-puncher Lee (34-2-1 24KOs) was an interested spectator at ringside and has said he will knock Saunders out when they meet, but the British fighter was equally as bullish about the outcome.
"Andy Lee is a good fighter but I'm going over there to smash him up and take his world title," Saunders told BoxNation.
"If he said he's going to knock me out in five rounds he's talking crap - I can guarantee one thing ... a good, smart boxer will always beat a brawler.
"I think Andy has got it in his mind too much about having that big punch but he won't be getting lucky and landing it on me. Andy is a good fighter and a good champion - he has done it the hard way and I have a lot of respect for him, but believe me I am going to beat him."
Saunders was glad to be back in action before going to a Spanish training camp next week.
"I knew I wasn't in there with a Sugar Ray Leonard. But I respect everyone who gets into the ring - he was there to give me a run out and he gave it a go," he said.
"It's a bit hard at times because at the end of round one I knew I could get the job done, but I wanted another round or so. I've been out eight months but the four rounds I got should have brushed away any ring rust that was there. But I'll be a lot sharper and a different animal come September 19.
"I'll be back in the gym on Monday so no rest and then I'll be going to the MGM gym in Marbella next week to begin serious, hard, training and that’s when the blood, sweat and tears begin."