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Nick Parkinson
Darren Till knocked down Anthony Taylor three times to seal a sixth-round TKO win in a heavyweight bout at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, dominated Taylor in the main event of the crossover Misfits Boxing 20 event.
It was another destructive boxing display from Till after he defeated Mohammad Mutie via TKO in an exhibition bout in July.
“I’ve been in the boxing gym two years and it’s all coming together,” Till said.
“I was out the ring two years because no one wanted to fight me but Anthony stepped up.”
Taylor said he will possibly consider retirement while Till is likely to continue with Misfits Boxing this year.
Till, 32, from Liverpool, was originally due to face former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s half brother Tommy Fury, who withdrew last month.
California-based light heavyweight Taylor (3-3, 2 KOs), 35, stepped in as a replacement opponent but it was mostly a one-side affair.
Southpaw Till landed some good left hands in Round 1 and he did most of the pressing behind a persistent jab.
Taylor, who compiled a record of 7-5-0 in UFC but more recently has been operating as an influencer boxer, found himself under intense pressure late in Round 2 with Till firmly in control.
Till, whose MMA record is 18-5-1, was warned for getting rough in Round 3 but he also landed some legitimate blows when he had Taylor trapped on the ropes.
Till got through with some glancing uppercuts in the third round and it was a warning for Taylor of what was to come.
In Round 4, Till uncorked a big left uppercut to the jaw that left Taylor stretched out on his back. Taylor took a count and then resumed on unsteady legs but somehow managed to survive another minute of punishment without going down again.
Taylor bravely fought back and landed a cracking right hand in Round 5, which left Till bleeding from is nose. Taylor got through with more right hands in the fifth, but Till was soon back in control in the decisive sixth round.
Till floored Taylor twice in Round 6, ending the fight with three precise left hands for an impressive finish.
It was also confirmed that YouTube star and CEO of Misfits Boxing KSI, 31, will fight former England and Chelsea footballer Wayne Bridge in Manchester on March 29.