Kid Galahad had to dig deep to defeat James Dickens for the vacant British super bantamweight title at the Magna Centre in Rotherham.
The 23-year-old was told by trainer Brendan Ingle that he needed a knockout in the rest before the 10th round, and that is just what he provided to stretch his unbeaten record to 15 bouts.
It was close as they entered the final nine minutes, although Dickens looked like he was beginning to feel the pace of a ferocious encounter.
Galahad was deducted a point in the ninth round for persistently pushing down on Dickens.
After words of advice from his corner, the Sheffield man went all out for the stoppage and came up with a crisp left to send his opponent to the mat.
Dickens got to his feet but looked scrambled, which forced his corner to pull him from the fight - a decision that confirmed his first defeat in 17 professional bouts.
Michael Penkman
