British super-middleweight Rocky Fielding has said that his victory over Brian Vera was the fight that he needed to elevate himself further up the world rankings.

Fielding knocked Vera down twice during the opening two rounds of their bout in Liverpool before the referee waved it off, but the Merseyside puncher has revealed that he was expecting a longer contest against the durable American.

The 27-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "I was expecting a tough fight. I was nervous because I expected a tough 12-round fight but I knew I was carrying some power and I got the job done.

"We were in the changing rooms and I was practising slipping his jab and then throwing the left uppercut. I was buzzing with that. I worked hard with Oliver. That was the fight I needed."

Fielding is now unbeaten in 21 matches in the professional ranks.