Ricky Burns produced a stunning performance to knock out Scott Cardle in the third round of their lightweight bout on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk and Tony Bellew at the Manchester Arena.
The former sparring partners traded blows in the first couple of rounds with Burns looking to dominate his opponent, but it was the third round that saw the 35-year-old Scot unleash a bout-winning punch as he moved in close towards the Lancastrian and then unleash a soft left hand before firing a right-hook, which Cardle failed to block, and having appeared for a moment to have to have taken the lusty blow in his stride, Cardle just fell back on to the canvas and Burns had stormed to an early win.
A brave Cardle got to his feet, but after the customary eight count the referee elected to stop the fight and Burns raised his arms in delight as he picked up a fine win on a night that will see Usyk and Bellew do battle in what is one of the fights of the year.
Speaking in the aftermath of his victory, veteran Burns said: "I'm always waiting on the phone call and I hope there are still big fights for me. I treat every fight the same, I train for every fight the same."
Burns has had a sensational career having fought in 51 fights and won three world titles in three divisions and if tonight's show is to go by then who's to say he won't be fighting for more glory in the future.
Watch Ricky Burns' stunning knockout here:
