Elcock was defending his title for the first time

Wayne Elcock's British title defence against Darren McDermott ended in controversial circumstances after the referee stopped the bout in round two.

Defending his middleweight crown for the first time, Elcock clashed heads with McDermott, leaving the challenger with a cut under his left eye.

And after an inspection from the doctor, McDermott was deemed unfit to continue at the Wolverhampton fight.

"I'm not happy about winning like that, but a win is a win," said Elcock.

I'll take it on the chin and bounce back Darren McDermott

"We both worked hard and for it to end like it did is poor, but that is boxing."

McDermott, 29, had shaded the bout's opening rounds using his superior reach advantage to pick off Elcock with some fine jabs and the occasional uppercut and believed the doctor was premature in ending the fight.

"I don't think the doctor even gave me a chance," said the "Birmingham body-snatcher" as he reflected on the first defeat of his career.

"I've got one of the best cut men in the country and he believes he would have stopped the bleeding and I feel robbed.

"But I'll take it on the chin and bounce back."