Lockett struggled to get to an unambitious Powers

Cwmbran-man Lockett, 29, was due to top Saturday's bill at Newport Sports Centre against Roman Aramian.

But the Armenian's late withdrawal with a viral infection meant Lockett faced a non-title 10-rounder, Bradley Pryce's win over Andrew Facey topping the bill.

"I thought I performed well, but it was an anti-climax," said Lockett.

Powers was very disappointing and only came to survive Barry McGuigan

"He covered up throughout and was hard to pin down - I was weakening him, but he was a tough nut.

"I was giving away a lot of weight and he was able to suck up a lot of punishment."

Ghanaian Powers, who had fought at super middleweight in his last two outings, weighed in the day before the fight at 12st 2lbs.

With Lockett bulking up before making 11st 9lbs, there were doubts that the fight would even go ahead before some behind-the-scenes negotiations.

"Powers made no effort to lose the weight so he went in very strong," said boxing great Barry McGuigan.

"He was very disappointing and only came to survive.

When [champion] Jermain Taylor vacates to move up a weight I'll be looking for a proper world title shot Gary Lockett

"Gary may be worried that he is losing something of his reputation by not stopping people, but he used his jab, kept his composure, and got the job done."

Powers' record goes to 11-5-1 (8 KOs) in a six-year professional career, while Lockett moves up to 29-1 (19 KOs).

"There are bigger and better things ahead for me," said Lockett.