Billy Joe Saunders took the vacant European middleweight title after stopping Italian Emanuele Blandamura in Manchester tonight.

The 24-year-old had failed to assert himself on his opponent, who came into the bout undefeated, but won the fight with a stunning right hook in the eighth round.

Saunders's overhand shot left Blandamura dazed against the ropes and he landed a few more punches before the contest was brought to an end, giving the British and Commonwealth champion a 20th straight victory.

However, it wasn't all plain sailing for Saunders after suffering a cut to his left eye in the second round and the former Olympian struggled to find his form in his first bout in 10 months.

Saunders's victory topped the bill in Manchester after Tyson Fury pulled out of his match with Alexander Ustinov.