Anthony Joshua has remained undefeated, stopping durable Russian veteran Alexander Povetkin with a seventh round TKO at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Brit extended his undefeated record to 22-0, with 21 coming via knockout, defending his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in the process.
It was the 2012 Olympic champions first defence since earning a decision win over Kiwi Joseph Parker in April.
Joshua struggled in the opening rounds as Povetkin worked over the London local on the inside with uppercuts, rocking the champion at the end of the first round.
Povetkin continued the pressure through rounds two and three, but a cut over his left eye, as a result of a head clash with Joshua, slowed the 39-year-old down.
Joshua started to use his range, shaking off his slow start, as the Russian began to succumb to the power for the Brit.
Joshua's jab found its mark on Povetkin's head as the fight entered the second half, eventually setting up a brutal finish.
Joshua landed a powerful combination in the opening minute of the seventh, with a beautiful left jab, straight right, eventually dropping Povetkin with a follow-up left hook. The Russian struggled to his feet, and Joshua pounced, ending the fight seconds later as the referee saved Povetkin from further damage.
It was the first stoppage loss of Povetkin's career, who had only failed to beat Wladimir Klitschko in 35 previous fights.
Joshua immediately turned his attention to the December WBC title fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. The 28-year-old is scheduled to fight again in April at the same venue and announced his intention to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
It remains to be seen if Wilder or Fury's camps can work a deal out with Joshua's manager Eddie Hearn, who called on whoever wins in December to accept his charge's challenge and unify the belts.
Fury took to social media minutes after the fight and was clearly not impressed by what he saw.
"Think it's now safe to say AJ and his team are a pack of shithouses and will rob the British boxing fans of Britons biggest fight," Futy wrote.
"Way to slow and ponderous. Can't box eggs.! Contact me when you grow a pair."
Hearn indicated that if a deal can't be made, Dillian Whyte will receive the next shot at Joshua's heavyweight crown.
"Tonight was about getting that big banana skin of Alexander Povetkin out the way," he said.
"If it's not Deontay Wilder then it will be Whyte here on April 13."
Newshub.
