Jono Carroll has defeated former world champion Scott Quigg in a career-best performance at Manchester Arena.
Quigg's corner threw in the towel in the penultimate round of the super-featherweight fight after Irish boxer Carroll dominated the fight from the outset.
Dubliner Carroll (18-1-1) bloodied former WBA super-bantamweight champion Quigg's nose in the opening round, setting the tone for what was to follow.
The 27-year-old Irishman shone again in the second, before Quigg (35-3-2) showed improvements in the third.
'King Kong' continued to inflict punishment of the Mancunian in the middle rounds, rocking a weary Quigg with a big right hook in the seventh.
The English boxer showed great pride and heart, but was outclassed throughout. Southpaw Carroll continued to win every round as the fight wore on, and pursued a knockout in the later rounds.
He caught Quigg with a relentless number of body shots, and another in the 11th round backed Quigg up against the ropes.
Carroll produced an onslaught of punches, with an immobile Quigg ducking and weaving, but finding no escape from his tireless opponent.
After a moment of deliberation, Quigg's trainer Joe Gallagher threw in the towel, mercifully bringing the one-sided bout to an end.
Carroll lands Quigg upset 👏 Jono Carroll produced a career-best performance to shock Scott Quigg at the Manchester Arena. pic.twitter.com/HMGOQ5NYOu — Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 7, 2020
Carroll's stoppage win ranks as the best of his career, and the outspoken Irish fighter is now targeting a world title.
"I am world class and that just put a stamp on it!" he said afterwards.
"It was a masterclass performance."
Carroll's only professional defeat came at the hands of Tevin Farmer last year.
Quigg, who suffered the first defeat of his professional career in a world title fight against Carl Frampton in 2016, has now lost three of his last seven fights.
The 31-year-old has now suggested he will retire following his defeat to Carroll.
"He was the better man. I was chasing him," he said.
"Fitness-wise was no problem but my timing wasn't there. I'm a realist and I don't kid anyone. This was a must-win fight. At my best I would have won tonight. On this performance, I don't know what's left.
"I couldn't have achieved anymore. I cut no corners. I beat world champions, sold out arenas. If this is it, thank you."
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