Aaron McKenna enjoyed the biggest win of his career by overcoming Uisima Lima to land the WBC international middleweight belt in London.
The 23-year-old won the fight at York Hall by unanimous victory with the judges scoring it 100-91, 98-92 and 98-93.
It was the Monaghan man's 17th successive win, but significantly it propels him into the top-20 middleweight rankings list.
Lima was also unbeaten coming into the bout, with a cut over his left eye in the fourth round putting him under pressure.
In a lively encounter, both fighters landed a number of shots, and while Lima was dangerous throughout, it was the 'Silencer' that began to assume control from the midway point.
McKenna’s right eye was almost closed by the end of the 10th round, but the Angolan southpaw was tiring down the stretch.
"I thought I had him gone a few times, but he just kept coming back," McKenna said afterwards.
Both fighters raised their arms at the end, but it was the Irishman who prevailed for the most significant win of his career.
