Gammer is the first Welshman to hold the belt since 1984

The 29-year-old Pembroke fighter, now unbeaten in 17 fights, had to work much harder than when he beat Krence in an official eliminator last year.

Although Krence dominated early in the rounds, Gammer - nick-named the Hammer - used his power to good effect.

He finished his opponent off with a double left hook.

Krence had promised he would box behind the jab, instead of being drawn into the toe-to-toe exchanges which proved disastrous when they first met, and the punch brought him some success in a largely exploratory opener.

I always felt I'd catch up with him - it just took a bit longer than I expected Scott Gammer

The second saw more action, with both enjoying their moments of superiority, but a left hook from Gammer in the third showed his intentions.

The Welshman forced Krence back late in the fifth with a flurry which had the Midlander momentarily flustered.

The sixth saw the home fighter out-working Krence for the first time, but he took his foot off the pedal in the next round.

But he regained his composure in the next, driving Krence to the ropes with two shots to the head.

It was only a matter of time before the end came with referee John Keane stepping in to call a halt with 25 seconds of the ninth round remaining.

Gammer said of Krence afterwards: "He was a bit sharp for me early on.

Tommy Farr is regarded as the best Welsh heavyweight of all time

"After I stopped him last year I knew he'd change his tactics and box more, but I didn't expect him to be so good at it.

"I wasn't worried though and always felt I'd catch up with him. It just took a bit longer than I expected."

The Pembroke Dock man follows follow Wales' ex-title holders Jack Petersen, Tommy Farr, Johnny Williams, Joe Erskine, Neville Meade and David Pearce into the record books.

Pearce was the last Welshman to hold the belt, back in 1984.