Leicester Arena, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom - In a WBO middleweight eliminator, with the interim-WBO title at stake, Avtandil Khurtsidze (33-2-2, 22 KOs) stopped previously undefeated Tommy Langford (18-1, 6 KOs) in the fifth round to earn a crack at WBO full champion Billy Joe Saunders.

The much shorter Khurtsidze started off by chasing Langford around the ring and trying to land something big. Langford was landing, but not able to hurt Khurtsidze, who was laughing off the shots and taunting the British fighter.

Khurtsidze seemed to be going for a knockout with every punch. Langford was able to use distance and timing his punches as Khurtsidze would rush in throwing bombs.

Khurtsidze continued to come forward like machine in the third, trying to go right through Langford. There was a clash of heads that opened up a cut above the left eye of Langford. And the same scenario was playing out in the fourth.

In the fifth, Khurtsidze drilled Langford with a big left hand shot that sent him right down. Langford got up, badly hurt, and the referee waved off the fight.

ON THE UNDERCARD

In an unexpected outcome for the British super lightweight title, Tyrone Nurse (34-2-2, 7 KOs) and Joe Hughes (15-2, 6 KOs) fought to a twelve round split draw. The scores were 116-113 Nurse, 115-113 Hughes and 115-115. The fight was close and there were close rounds, but most observers felt Nurse had done enough to win.

Former world champion Zolani Tete (25-3, 20 KOs) dominated Arthur Villanueva (30-2) over twelve rounds to capture the interim-WBO bantamweight title.

The scores were 119-108, 119-108 and 120-107. Villanueva was down in the eleventh round.

It was Tete's first bout since last June's seventh round stoppage of Victor Ruiz in Liverpool.

Heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois (2-0, 2 KOs) put away Blaise Mendouo (3-2) in two rounds. Dubois, who made his pro debut on April 8, will be back in the ring on May 20 at Copper Box Arena in London.

Light heavyweight prospect Anthony Yarde (10-0, 9 KOs) has continued his path of destruction by scoring two knockdowns to stop Darren Snow (5-13) in the first round.

Darryll Williams (15-0, 6 KOs) won a ten round split decision over Jahmaine Smyle (14-4-2) in a clash with the BBBofC English super middleweight title at stake. The scores were Williams 97-93 and 98-93, and 96-95 for Smyle.