Unbeaten Irish middleweight Andy Lee cruised to the sixth win of his pro career after being handed a unanimous decision over Dennis Sharpe at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night.
The judges scored the six rounder (60-54, 60-54,60-54) in the Limerickman's favour.
Lee, fighting on the Wladimir Klitschko/Calvin Brock undercard, was facing his toughest challenge to date against New Jersey-born puncher Sharpe, who had won 17 of his 22 fights before last night's contest.
However, the ex-Irish Olympian, who fights out of the renowned Kronk gym in Detroit, put on another convincing performance to maintain his unblemished record.
Speaking after the fight, 22-year-old Lee, said that it he was delighted with the victory, against an opponent who is nine years his senior.
Lee said: 'I couldn't take him for granted, he has been around, but I always felt that I was going to win this fight and it is always nice to get another victory under my belt
'I didn't box as well as I could have but overall I am pleased with the win and the margin of victory which was a fair reflection as I felt I outclassed him.'
Lee has been pencilled in the fight in the Cicero Stadium in Illinois on Friday 1 December, but will make a decision on that contest this week.
He added: 'I got a cut over my right eye after a clash of heads in the fifth round so it remains to be seen whether I will fight in Illinois. We will make a decision on that later next week.'
