Commonwealth champion Pryce ended Small's undefeated record

Small, 25, who had been unbeaten in 17 fights, started well at the O2 Arena, but by the sixth round Pryce's punches left him with a bloody nose.

In the next round, Pryce connected with a big right hand on the Deptford man.

Newport's Pryce, 26, finished his opponent after two minutes and 14 seconds with a barrage of punches.

Small and his corner complained bitterly at the referee's decision to halt the fight, but his failure to offer any resistance to Pryce's onslaught fully justified the call.