Referee Ian John-Lewis stopped the fight 49 seconds into the round with Ward unable to repel Power's onslaught.

Londoner Power, 26, stretched his unbeaten professional record to 19 wins, eight inside the distance.

Power said: "It went just how I thought it would. I knew it would be tough but it was just a matter of time before I got through and finished him."

Promoter Frank Maloney said: "Ward was too brave for his own good. If I'd been in his corner I'd have pulled him out a round earlier."

It was Ward's first defeat in a four-year professional career, which had seen him win 13 and draw two of his previous 15 fights.

Power now plans one more British title defence to try to secure the coveted Lonsdale Belt outright before setting his sights on a shot at the European title.