By Elliot Foster

Robbie Davies Jr. outlined his credentials as a major player in the domestic mix with a sensational stoppage.

The Kirkby super-lightweight, 27, retained his WBA Continental crown in devastating fashion with a knockout victory over Zoltan Szabo.

Davies Jr., the son of 1976 Montreal Olympian Robbie Davies and a talented fighter in his own right, had to make do with a late replacement in the shape of the 22-year-old Hungarian and he made a statement in the process, exclusively live on ITV4.

Szabo, who has only been a professional for 11 months, was game in the early stages, offering good dynamism in a bid to combat Davies’ superior skill while having some spells of success of his own.

But as the fight at the Preston Guild Hall passed the halfway point, the older man –– who is now 15-0 (11 KOs) –– took over, began to display his dominance with aplomb and suddenly Szabo looked very limited.

That is the path that the fight followed until the end, which came at two minutes and 22 seconds of round nine, when Davies landed a sweet left hook to the body which floored Szabo and forced him to be counted out by referee Steve Gray.

Szabo, in defeat, slipped to 13-4 with six early.

Davies Jr., having making such a good impression on terrestrial television, told Boxing Scene recently that he now wants to move up to the next level on the ladder.

In the chief supporting contest, Jack Arnfield earned a repeat victory over fierce rival Mick Hall.

The Blackpool middleweight was comfortable throughout his fight against the man he had previously beaten in Prizefighter.

Arnfield, who advances to 23-2 (6 KOs), had his hand raised at the end of the 11th round after the referee Howard Foster called the fight off with the blessing of the Preston man’s corner.

The reason behind the referee’s decision was the grotesque swelling on the forehead of Hall, who slips to 13-2 (1 KO) in defeat.

Arnfield successfully retained the WBA International title he won against John Ryder last September and will now go on to face Elliott Matthews in Bolton on May 6 in an English title eliminator, where the winner will be in pole position to face current champion Tommy Langford, whose next fight is set to be announced on Monday.

Earlier in the card, Zach Parker was awarded a win after late replacement Bradley Pryce was pulled out by the ringside physician in round four of a scheduled six with an eye issue, Nick Webb won by stoppage in the third round against Chris Healey to move into double figures in the paid code and heavyweight Bill Hodgson was victorious on points.

But there was disappointment for Atif Shafiq –– entered the fight on the back of a 13-month layoff –– as he slipped to 16-1 (4 KOs) after falling victim to a first-round stoppage at the hands of undefeated Kazakhstan-born German Andreas Maier, who know advances to 6-0 with five early.

Other results

Mark Jeffers WPTS4 Anthony Fox

Nathan Wheatley WPTS4 Kieron Gray

Joe Wood WPTS4 Andrej Cepur