Luke Campbell warmed up for a world title eliminator by stopping Troy James inside five rounds.
The Hull lightweight is due to meet Yvan Mendy, who beat him in 2015, in a final eliminator for the WBC title later this year, but first he had the opportunity to dust off some cobwebs in London.
It's just over seven months since Campbell last fought and he used the first period of Saturday's bout to circle the ring and find his range.
James, a former British title challenger, spiritedly tried to match his southpaw foe but Campbell was simply a level above and, in the second, a ferocious left uppercut-right hook combination had the Coventry man down.
There was no let-up from the 2012 Olympic gold medallist, who continued to unleash spiteful one-two salvos, and James hit the canvas again in the fourth after a cuffing blow landed around the back of the guard.
An outmatched James valiantly fought on but the referee decided he had seen enough in the fifth and halted proceedings.
"That was what I wanted. I caught him with some nice shots, he was a tough guy," Campbell said afterwards.
"My number one fight is Yvan Mendy, I have unfinished business there, I need to clean my record, it's a big fight and I want that.
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: "That was what Luke needed. The WBC have ordered him against Mendy in a final eliminator.
"There's a good chance we will make it for the end of summer."