Smith stopped Maxwell in the seventh round with a brutal right hand, and the 26-year-old waited until he knew his beaten opponent was not in immediate danger before starting to celebrate.

Afterwards, Smith explained that he was spurred into action by two cuts above his eye, and promoter Hearn concurred.

Eddie Hearn said: “The cuts changed the fight and made Dalton Smith more aggressive.”

However, he believes the manner of victory will also make the higher profile names at 140lb look at him as a potential contender for future match-ups.

Hearn continued: “In this sport people always want to question you. He has produced a knockout that will go viral around the world and will put the division on notice.

“That was the sort of performance and knockout that makes a statement.”