Harris had to work hard to get past Urkal

Harris, in his third title defence, sent Urkal down in the 11th round, and although the challenger regained his feet, the referee stopped the fight.

The fight had been close until Harris began to pull clear from the ninth round onwards. "He's a top fighter, but I was better tonight," said Harris.

Urkal, a silver medallist in the 1996 Olympics, suggested the defeat could signal the end of his career in the ring.

"I don't have any desire to wait three or four years for another title shot," said the 34-year-old.