Brian Magee retained his IBO super-middleweight title in great style with a seventh round stoppage win over South Africa's Mpush Makambi on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Belfast man unloaded a sharp combination which had his 35-year-old opponent reeling around the Leeds Town Hall ring.

Makambi held clung onto Magee in a vain attempt to remain upright but was rescued by the referee as Magee pummelled him against the ropes.

Makambi became the best scalp on Magee's 16-fight unbeaten record.

And the manner of his win suggested he may be capable of stepping up a level very soon.

Makambi had boasted a proud record against British fighters, having stopped Adrian Dodson twice, and knocked both Steve Foster and Ensley Bingham into retirement.

But time, and Magee, looked to have caught up with him.

Counted out

Fighting on the undercard, Neil Sinclair retained his British welterweight title in easy fashion.

Belfast man Sinclair had been expecting a war against Leeds-based Irishman and former champion Derek Roche.

But Sinclair needed only two minutes and two seconds of the first round to retain his title.

Roche came in close and Sinclair fired a short left hand which winded his opponent and to the surprise of many kept him on his knees until referee Paul Thomas had counted him out.