Devin Haney remained undefeated as he beat Regis Prograis by unanimous decision to become two-weight world champion in San Francisco.
Haney is now the WBC super lightweight world champion, having previously been undisputed lightweight champion, and took a dominant points win with all three judges scoring the bout 120-107 to the 25-year-old.
Prograis suffered his first defeat since October 2019 and held the super welterweight belt for 13 months.
Despite being his first fight at the weight, vacating his undisputed lightweight crown, Haney made a strong start and a straight right hand in the third round knocked his opponent down.
Prograis got back up but was repeatedly caught, leading to a cut on his nose at half distance as his team were close to throwing the towel in.
Haney controlled the remainder of the fight, with more good work in the ninth, to go 31 bouts unbeaten.
“I went in here and I hit him with a sharp right hand. I capitalised on his tendency of leaning in,” said Haney.
“I know I was getting him hurt. My dad said stay focused, stick to the game plan.”
Billam-Smith vs Masternak – when are they in the ring on Sunday?
World title action takes place on Sunday evening live on Sky Sports when Chris Billam-Smith fights Mateusz Masternak.
Billam-Smith is making the first defence of the WBO cruiserweight championship he won in May when he boxes determined challenger Masternak at the Bournemouth International Centre.
The champion is having this fight on Sunday (rather than the typical Saturday fight night) to allow his hometown fans to get back from Bournemouth’s away game at Manchester United the previous day
The ringwalks for the main event are expected at around 9pm on Sunday night, live on Sky Sports Arena.
The broadcast will begin at 6pm with prospect Fran Hennessy kicking off the show against Argentina opponent Lucrecia Belen Arrieta.
Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price and light-heavyweight boxer Ben Whittaker are also in action.