Froch said he damaged his right hand in the first round

The Nottingham fighter, 28, ended the York Hall contest with a superb uppercut in the 11th round which left Magee needing oxygen on the canvas.

Ulsterman Magee got off to a bad start and was knocked down in the opening round, but he recovered to put Froch on the back foot for long periods.

Froch's class eventually told as he recorded his 19th straight win.

Encouraged by his first-round display, Froch started to look for the big-punch finish but paid the price as Magee opened up a gash underneath his right eye.

Magee got stronger as the fight wore on and had Froch in trouble, before the champion upped the pace in the latter stages

I always told everybody I've got the power to finish anybody in the world Carl Froch

Froch said his performance had been affected by an injury to his right hand, sustained in the first round.

"I damaged my right hand when I put him down early," he said. "It was a cracking uppercut but I'm a little paranoid about it because I spent a lot of money on it, getting it fixed.

"Brian Magee's a tough, strong, experienced operator. He's been in with some of the best fighters in the world.

"That's my 19th fight. I told people what I was made of and what I could do, I came here and I've proved it.

"I always told everybody from the start I've got the power to finish anybody in the world.

"I knew once I connected he'd be in serious trouble. God willing, he'll be OK."