Brian Magee has his sights set on the WBC title

Brian Magee retained his IBO super-middleweight title after challenger Hacine Cherifi retired on his stool at the end of the eighth round in Belfast.

Magee, making his sixth defence, dominated the contest from the opening bell but his opponent's fight was ended by two cuts from accidental clashes of heads.

The 28-year-old concentrated on shots to Cherifi's body and as soon as the second round, the challenger was keen to hold on.

A clash of heads left Cherifi with blood streaming from the cut on his forehead, and the third round saw Magee increase the pressure with some crisp combinations.

Cherifi was offering little in response and just before the bell in the fifth round, he was stunned by a left hook.

The atmosphere was fantastic and the fans really got me going Brian Magee

The challenger showed more resistance in the sixth, but southpaw Magee's extra strength kept him at bay.

Magee continued to dominate in the seventh and another accidental clash of heads opened up a cut over Cherifi's right eye.

And at the end of the round his corner men felt the facial damage was too much to bear.

"I knew he was a world class fighter and he has a great chin so I decided to work to the body," said Magee.

"That was the game plan and it paid off.

"The atmosphere was fantastic and the fans really got me going.

"Hopefully we will be back again in the New Year."