Tyrone McCullagh eased to a unanimous decision win over Razak Najib to earn a place in the Golden Contract semi-finals.
McCullagh was never in trouble over the ten rounds as he avoided trouble and soared into the featherweight semis.
The Glen Road man won on 97-93, 98-92, 96-94 scores from the judges at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
McCullagh significantly out-landed Najib to upgrade his pro record to 14-0 with Najib dropping to 11-4.
The former Illies Golden Gloves amateur walked to the ring to the sound of Teenage Kicks by The Undertones to kick off the featherweight quarter-finals of the Sky Sports-televised Golden Contract series.
McCullagh came into the arena boasting an unblemished 13-fight record, including the successful defence of his European super bantamweight title in May, when he overcame Alvaro Rodriguez in Newcastle.
A year ago this weekend, McCullagh had beaten Josh Kennedy in Belfast to win the title for the first time.
Najib was an 11th hour replacement on Thursday after Carlos Araujo was forced to withdraw from the bout due to weight issues. The Mexican had been in England since Tuesday morning, but was overweight and had to receive medical attention in hospital.
Najib was originally pencilled in for an undercard bout and arrived on the back of a loss to Carlos Ramos in June for the EU featherweight title.
On Tuesday, the boxers took part in a draw where they each drew a numbered blue or red ball. Those who pulled out a blue had their choice of a red opponent, with McCullagh the last blue standing and a meeting with Araujo.
McCullagh vowed that the change of opponent wouldn’t derail him – and he was true to his word.
Sports writer from St Johnston, now based in Letterkenny, with ten years’ experience covering sport in Donegal. Was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.