Maccarinelli retained his title with ease

Big-hitting Swansea cruiserweight Enzo Maccarinelli easily defended his WBU title with a first-round stoppage of South Africa's Earl Morais at Cardiff.

Maccarinelli, who had stopped 11 of his previous 15 opponents inside the distance, needed just 90 seconds

He rocked the Johannesburg man with virtually the first punch of the contest, a short left hook to the head.

After keeping up the pressure, he crashed in a left hook which sent Morais to the canvas.

"I train for 12 rounds, I sparred for 12 rounds but if these opportunities come along I'll take them," said Maccarinelli.

"I'm confident of my power, it took Sebastian Rothmann 10 rounds to get rid of him and he's ranked in the top 10."

Promoter Frank Warren said Maccarinelli's next fight will be on 21 February on the undercard of the Joe Calzaghe bout.

Welsh wins

Earlier, Wales' Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie Arthur took a step up in class against tough Londoner Jus Wallie.

The Cwmbran lightweight had impressed with stoppages in his previous three outings, but he was made to work harder by the compact, powerful Wallie.

The Londoner came out swinging and landed some heavy hooks, and in the first two rounds Arthur was drawn into a wild, bruising brawl.

Gradually the Welshman's superior accuracy, speed and boxing skills asserted themselves, though, and he inflicted some serious punishment in the third and fourth rounds.

Arthur was bloodied at the end - whether from Wallie's fists or head was unclear - but he emerged with a deserved 39-37 win.

Former amateur star Tony Doherty returned to action with a three-round stoppage of Scotland's James Paisley.

'The Doc,' cheered on by his familiar travelling support, dominated from the outset and peppered Paisley with lightning blows to the face and body.

Despite the one-sided action, Paisley did not look in trouble until Doherty landed with a big right in the third.

The Pontypool fighter followed up with a quick-fire, accurate assault until Paisley's corner mercifully threw in the towel.

Cardiff welterweight Taz Jones improved his fledgling professional record with a four-round points win over the durable Ernie Smith.

Urged on by trainer Enzo Calzaghe, Jones comfortably won every round with some sharp boxing, without ever threatening to stop his man.

Gavin Rees, who hoped to push his case for a shot at the WBO title next year with a fight against Carl Allen, was a late withdrawal from his bout.

The Newbridge featherweight showed signs of flu at a pre-fight medical.