Herbie Hide was back in the ring after an 18-month break

Fighting on the same bill as Howard Eastman, who beat Scott Dann with a third round stoppage, Hide was jeered by the crowd throughout his bout.

But it was a one-sided contest and referee Terry O'Connor brought proceedings to an end one minute and 20 seconds into the seventh round.

Hide's last fight was a second-round defeat to Zambian Joseph Chingangu 18 months ago, but afterwards he said he was delighted to be back despite the jeers.

"It doesn't bother me if I'm hated," he said.

"They booed Muhammad Ali and they used to boo Lennox Lewis until he became champion.

I feel great now and I'm ready to take on the best that Britain can offer Herbie Hide

"I believe I am still the man after Lewis. Audley Harrison and Danny Williams and Frank Bruno can't touch me.

"I was having fun in there. I loved it - I'm 31 years old and I'm back.

"Everybody loses - Lennox Lewis loses. You get careless for a second, you get caught with one punch and 'boom!'.

"My head was messed up and things weren't right. I feel great now and I'm ready to take on the best that Britain can offer me again."

McCafferty was out of his depth from the start, and failed to test his 31-year-old opponent's chin.

Eastman marches on

Hide was deducted a point for his low blows in the third round but increased the pressure through the fifth round as he began to pick off the brave but limited McCafferty at will.

Hide is now fighting under the regime of former world champions Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Mike McCallum.

McCallum said: "Herbie showed good reflexes, good handspeed and good body shots.

"I believe Herbie can accomplish anything he wants to achieve.

"He hasn't fought in a year-and-a-half but this was a nice start for him and he did his job well. He will be back."