Scott Quigg moved closer to a world title fight after beating Franklin Varella in a world title eliminator. The 22-year-old from Bury defended his WBA superbantamweight intercontinental title with a seventh round technical knock out of the Venezuelan.

Quigg told BBC Radio Manchester: "We knew he was dangerous so I was making sure my defence was tight. I stuck to the game plan to go through the gears slowly and make sure I didn't get caught with any daft shots."

Quigg's tactics paid dividends as he felled his opponent with a body shot in the seventh round to record his 22nd win in 22 professional fights.

"When everyone in the corner said the time was right to finish it that's when I stepped it up," he added.

Quigg is now being linked with a British title fight against Nottingham's Jason Booth and, whoever his next opponent might be, he is confident.

"I am a 12-round fighter," he said. "If I have to fight at a high pace I can, but 12 rounds suits me down to the ground."