Marcus Portman’s bid to claim a commonwealth title lasted almost six rounds before he was overwhelmed by champion Bradley Pryce.

Portman, of West Bromwich, was stopped in the sixth round of his title challenge at the NIA, a few seconds after being floored by a straight right from tenacious Welshman Pryce.

WBU light middleweight champion Portman started brightly and appeared to win the second round, after standing firm in the first against a quickfire start from his opponent.

Yet rising star Pryce, a Newbridge stablemate of world champion Joe Calzaghe and trained by Enzo Calzaghe, grew in stature in winning rounds three, four and five.

He wrapped up victory midway through the sixth despite a brave effort from Portman.

Another West Bromwich fighter, light middleweight Wayne Downing, also tasted defeat in his meeting with former footballer Curtis Woodhouse.

Downing was floored by a vicious kidney shot from the ex-Birmingham midfielder inside the first minute of their four-round contest and was counted out.

Birmingham’s commonwealth flyweight champion, Don Broadhurst, continued his impressive introduction to the professional ranks with a points win over Belgian Alain Bonnel in six rounds.

There was also a controversial points victory for Coventry’s Steve Bendall, who took the English middleweight title from Liverpool’s Paul Smith with a 96-94 verdict.

Brierley Hill super middleweight Richie Collins beat Doncaster’s James Tucker on points.

Stourport’s Billy Smith was out-pointed by Swindon’s Jamie Cox over six rounds at light welterweight.

Birmingham’s Thomas Costello scored a points win over Duncan Cottier of Essex at light middleweight.

Liverpool featherweight Stephen Smith knocked out Telford’s Shaun Walton in the third of their scheduled four rounds and another Scouser, welterweight Joe Selkirk, beat Nottingham’s Matt Scriven on points.

And in an excellent four-round light middleweight contest, Leicester’s Martin Concepcion edged out Birmingham’s Delroy Mitchell on points, 39-38.