English boxer Tony Bellew has retained his WBC world cruiserweight title in emphatic style with a third-round stoppage of American BJ Flores.
It looked like the fight might not even last that long when Bellew had the challenger down on the canvas three times in the second round, but each time he beat the count in Liverpool.
The 33-year-old champion jumped out of the ring after the fight to confront compatriot David Haye, who was in attendance at ringside and has been touted as Bellew's next opponent.
Flores, who was beaten by Australia's Danny Green in a 2010 IBO cruiserweight title fight, was knocked down three times before Bellew ramped up the assault.
The Liverpudlian threw a flurry of body shots and haymakers and the challenger could not handle his power.
A big left hook proved to be the last act as Flores was knocked down again and the referee put him out of his misery by stopping the fight.
