Callum Smith produced three first-round knockdowns to claim the vacant British super-middleweight title against local rival Rocky Fielding in their long awaited all-Liverpool clash and make history at the Echo Arena.
The victory means that the Smiths are the first boxing family to have four British champions with brothers Liam, Stephen, and Paul claiming the Lonsdale belt in their respective divisions.
"I don't know what it looked like from the outside but it felt exciting when I was in there as while it lasted. Credit to Rocky Fielding, he came out and we had a shootout and I think that's what the public wanted. It was a good fight while it lasted and I'm pleased to get the win, it looks on paper like a one-round blowout but it's a good win regardless of what round I put him away. I said in the build-up and it came across as a bit arrogant but I knew I was the better fighter and I just need the chance to prove it and I think I showed that tonight.
"I didn't think it would finish in the first. I remember by brothers asked me a few weeks ago how I thought it would go and I said that with the crowd as soon as one shot landed it would catch fire and it will be over in the first four, but I would be a liar if I said I thought I would take him out in the first round. I thought it would be quick for four and then settle and at is where I would take over. I am British champion and for the four of us to get that and make history is something I'm very proud of.
"I haven't been professional for three years yet, it's ten days short of three years since I made my debut, so I'm still learning. I am doing everything right at the minute and I do think 2016 is the year I can become a World champion.
"It is Rocky's first loss and too many people write you off after a loss, it happened my brother Stephen, and look at him now. Without being big headed, Rocky has lost to a good fighter, not somebody he was expected to beat. I am sure he can go away, work hard and come back."
Both men met at the centre of the ring as the pre-fight talk of a toe-to-toe battle looked evident. But pre-fight favourite Smith's punching power was on show inside the first 30 seconds as Fielding was badly wobbled after a wicked right-hand counter from Smith caught Fielding flush on the temple.
Although Fielding, now 21-1 with 12 KOs, valiantly fought off the Smith charge, he was caught again, this time with a brilliantly-timed left hook as Fielding tried to bravely fight off the ropes.
With Fielding in desperate trouble, Smith, now 18-0 with 13 KOs, swarmed all over his former amateur team mate to leave referee Phil Edwards no choice but to stop the fight.
"I am gutted," Fielding said. "Hats off to Callum, he is a good fighter, and I knew I was in for a good fight. But that is boxing, one punch changed the game and fair play to him.
"I caught him with a good jab and I thought I had my rhythm but he let his shots go and he caught me. I recouped a bit but hats off, he is a big super-middleweight and he caught me. I wasn't hurt off it, I wasn't knocked out. With me and him it was who landed first. I said all along I had power to catch him and hurt him and obviously he does too but he got me first and that was it. He will push on but I will be back and I will push on.
"I believe I am up there in the mix of things. I will sit down but I want a world-ranked fighter for my next fight, I am not going to go backwards. This is a defeat to a good fighter so I can learn from it and move on."
The win could now move Smith into the mandatory position for the WBC super-middleweight title held by American Badou Jack -- who recently claimed a unanimous decision against Smith's fellow Brit George Groves.
With IBF champion James DeGale defending his title against Lucian Bute and Martin Murray going up against WBO champion Arthur Abraham later this month, domestic world-title unification bouts could be on the horizon in a packed super-middleweight division.