Maccarinelli was made to work hard

The 23-year-old Welshman, who had never been beyond four rounds in his career, looked to be coasting in Cardiff when he put Delaney down in the first round.

But he was made to wait until round eight to apply the finish as the brave London challenger fought back.

Boxing on the undercard of compatriot Joe Calzaghe, Maccarinelli finally got the win after a clubbing body punch.

A partisan crowd showed its appreciation for both men when the contest was finally stopped.

And Maccarinelli paid his respects to a gutsy display from the 33-year-old Delaney.

I thought I might have a chance after four or five rounds, but those body punches were starting to hurt Garry Delaney

"People don't give him the credit he deserves," he told Sky Sports.

"He was fired up and he gave it his best shot. He's a tough man."

Delaney said he had tried to weather Maccarinelli's opening storm, before attempting to pick him off in the later rounds.

And the veteran did manage to sting his opponent with a few shots in a pulsating encounter.

But Delaney got hit with a flurry of body shots in the process, falling to the canvas seven times.

On each occasion he picked himself, but the referee was forced to step in towards the end of round eight.