Sunday 14 September 2014 09:12, UK
WBA champion Scott Quigg sent out a chilling response to rival Carl Frampton with a third-round stoppage of Stephane Jamoye.
The Bury fighter is pursuing a super-bantamweight showdown with Frampton, who took the IBF belt from Kiko Martinez last weekend, and he stayed on course after a ruthless win in Manchester.
Jamoye had stepped in as a replacement opponent, but was not daunted by the task and found the champion with an early flurry of punches. Quigg seemed to be sizing up the Belgian and waited until the closing minute before unleashing crunching body shots that sent Jamoye into reverse.
This glimpse of Quigg's firepower failed to dissuade the challenger, who started the second with a crisp combination, but the champion shrugged off the punches and simply smiled back. He again finished the round on the attack, whipping in hurtful hooks to head and body.
The end came in the next round, with Quigg halting his man in brutal fashion. Three stiff punches forced Jamoye to retreat to the ropes and a huge body shot then sent him crumbling to the canvas.
Jamoye staggered to his feet, but was spared more punishment by the referee Terry O'Connor.
It was a third straight win inside the distance for Quigg, who called for future fights with Frampton or WBC champion Leo Santa Cruz.
Yes I was happy with that. Went in and systematically broke him down in three rounds. No-one has done that.
He told Sky Sports: "Yes I was happy with that. Went in and systematically broke him down in three rounds. No-one has done that.
"Anyone is a threat who gets in that ring. It only takes one punch to change a fight. I give everyone respect who gets in there. No matter how much of a threat people think he was, he’s still got a chance of winning and I didn’t take my eye off the game.
"If he wants to sit down in a room, Carl, Barry (McGuigan), me, Eddie (Hearn), that fight can be made. There is also Leo Santa Cruz, who fights tonight, he is another fight I want."
