Hamzah Sheeraz flattened Edgar Berlanga with a steamrolling display, dropping him twice en path to KO glory.
British rising star Sheeraz was seeking to make his splash on US soil in an enormous night against Edgar Berlanga on his debut at 168lbs.
The pair were topping a historic inaugural boxing bill on the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Recent York.
Sheeraz hoped to get back to winning ways after a controversial draw with Carlos Adames last day trip, a fight which many believed he had lost.
It was heartache in his first world title shot as he narrowly missed out against Adames, but all would to be restored if he beat the American.
And he did exactly that in truly emphatic fashion, flooring Berlanga with two crunching shots within the fourth round.
The house favourite simply never recovered and was stopped within the fifth after one other explosive barrage from the devastating Sheeraz.
It was the most effective win of the British star’s profession, and an enormous statement on foreign soil.
Sheeraz is now in hot pursuit of Canelo Alvarez who holds all of the titles at 168lbs.
Alvarez will face Terence Crawford on September 13, and the British star is eyeing the winner.
He said of his sensational win: “Canelo is a boxing hero of mine. For my name to be mentioned in the identical sentence is a fantastic achievement.
“If it does occur I’ll stand in the center and have it out with him. Massive thanks to Andy Lee.
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“Them first few rounds I used to be losing but we had a plan. I told him to trust me and he did, so thanks.
“I swear to you, whoever was within the ring with me today there was no stopping me.”
Berlanga received an enormous reception from the US fans, as he looked to attain a giant victory with Sheeraz playing the villain.
It was a slow and scrappy start with each huge units looking to determine their dominance and size.
The pair were quite literally treading on one another’s toes because the motion got here to shut quarters.
And things finally opened up within the third round with Sheeraz beginning to land some higher work together with his long levers.
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A vigorous crowd got here into this contest for the primary time within the fourth as some big shots hit their mark, with Berlanga seeking to throw back in a reasonably even contest.
And it was sent right into a frenzy as Sheeraz crushed Berlanga on to his back with a steaming left hook.
Berlanga rose to his feet with a wry smile but was clearly hurt, and he immediately went down again as Sheeraz unloaded one other barrage.
Luckily he was saved by the bell, but it surely was a giant round for the Briton who drew the gang to their feet and sensed an end was near.
It was a matter of time for Berlanga who was wobbling on his feet and threatened to go down again within the preceding fifth round.
And the referee held him up and waved off the competition, with Sheeraz scoring a seriously impressive and commanding display on US soil.