Super TKO sets up Sam Eggington's title shot
Stourbridge's Sam Eggington today insisted he would take an all-West Midlands British title fight against Frankie Gavin "with both hands."
Eggington moved into pole position with an impressive eighth round stoppage of Denton Vassell at the Manchester Arena,
The Midlands welterweight champion smashed the former Commonwealth boss into submission to score a spectacular TKO, live on Sky Sports, from their British title eliminator.
The 20-year-old went into the fight as the underdog but made a mockery of that tag with an all-action display, gutsy Vassell's resistance making for a cracking contest.
Eggington said: "I am buzzing, it's a great win for me from a tough fight and I knew how gruelling it was going to be in there.
"I have sparred with Denton before and, even though it was ages ago, I still remembered how hard his body shots are!
"I knew I could hurt him with my power and I don't think anyone can say the stoppage was premature. He was effectively sat on the middle rope with his defences completely gone.
"Hopefully, I will get a shot at the British title now and Frankie is the champion.
"If he gives the belt up, that's fine. If he doesn't, I would take the chance with both hands. It would be a bit awkward, as I know him and he's from just down the road, but that's boxing."
A Lonsdale belt holder, Gavin's chances of stepping up have been left in limbo since he was outpointed for the European title by long-standing champion Leonard Bundu last month.
'Funtime' Frankie could be tempted to drop back down to domestic level temporarily, defending the British title and the Commonwealth crown he took from Vassell 15 months ago.
Eggington sets a fast pace and did so here from round one leaving Vassell, back in the ring for the first time since breaking his jaw in the Gavin fight, trying to keep up.
Both tasted the other's power, a right uppercut from Vassell moving him into range for combination punches, but he walked onto a left hook from Eggington more than once.
Vassell did start to settle and get his timings right come the second, but he was nearly out of there in the third after coming into real trouble.
Eggington lept forward out to snap into a right uppercut, following up with a left hook that nearly took Vassell clean off his feet.
Hurt, Vassell ran for cover while his head cleared with Eggington in pursuit, trapping him in the corner, throwing shots wildly in an attempt to force a finish.
The gutsy Vassell traded on shaky legs, working the body to survive, although he sampled another right hook as he made it to the bell.
He had regained his senses by the start of the fourth as he went downstairs to bang away, hoping to use Eggington's height advantage against him.
A cut opened under Eggington's left eye that needed treatment as he went into the fifth, giving Vassell heart he was getting back into the fight.
The two slugged away at close quarters and, this time, it was Eggington's turn to look like he was gone as he was trapped in the ropes.
His hands dropped completely, leaving him prone to shot after shot to the jaw, but he pushed his way back out and hung on to reach the sixth.
The bit between his teeth, Vassell tried to pile on the pressure, ploughing forward with the ribs his primary target as Eggington tried to cover up.
Sam's fightback started in the seventh as he counter punched Vassell's aggressive attacks, which eventually weakened him for the stoppage with 24 seconds left of the next round.
A flurry from Eggington left Vassell out on his feet and prone to further punishment, another right hook completely knocking his block off.
With Vassell in no fit state to defend himself, referee Richie Davies took action and literally pulled Eggington off him. All three judges had him ahead on their scorecards.
