Wanganui-born light heavyweight boxer Robert "the Butcher" Berridge strapped on his first international title belt on Friday night after pummelling tough Japanese boxer Shintaro Matsumoto into the canvas.
The southpaw's barrage in the fifth round opened up a right hook which crumbled Matsumoto to his knees in the main eventat the Auckland Boxing Association stadium.
Matsumoto gamely pulled himself up to continue the fight but Berridge closed in for the kill, unloading some torrid shots to the Japanese boxer's solar plexus.
He crumpled in agony and referee Lance Revill had seen enough, pulling Berridge away at 1:41 into the round.
Claiming the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council title, the 28-year-old now has an imposing 20-1-1 record with 16 knockouts, maintaining his 73 per cent stoppage ratio.
Screaming himself hoarse in the corner was Paul Berridge, who had led his cousin through another pre-fight training camp in Wanganui. Paul Berridge said Matsumoto had been as tough as any opponent 'the Butcher' has fought yet, absorbing blows and landing his own combinations.
"He had a hard head, pretty similar to a lot of Pacific Islanders. It was an awesome night, they reckon it hasn't been that loud in that building since it opened."
Afterwards, a contented Robert Berridge said he had searched for a weakness but it wasn't until he starting working the body that he and his corner saw the opening.
"It was hard to put him away. I was landing flush shots on him and he didn't look like he would feel it.
"I went to the body early on, but then I kept doing it because I could see that he was hurting. I just kept pounding away at it."
Paul Berridge said the bandages on Matsumoto's ribs and blood he coughed up indicated his cousin's power.
Now hold holding both the New Zealand and Asian light heavyweight titles, Robert Berridge continues his march up the rankings towards a hopeful world title shot.
"A world title holder, that's where I want to be," he said. "It means all the hard work and dedication I've put into training ... giving up a lot of stuff ... pays off."
