Devon Alexander retained his IBF welterweight title after Lee Purdy was pulled out

Devon Alexander claimed a seventh-round TKO victory over Britain's Lee Purdy in their welterweight fight in Atlantic City.

The Briton, with middleweight Darren Barker leading his corner after trainer Tony Simms failed to secure a visa, was withdrawn after taking a one-sided beating.

Alexander teed off on the Colchester man from the outset, Purdy walking forward relentlessly carrying a high guard but presenting little more than a stationary target.

The American - despite hurting his hand in the first round - was allowed to go through his full repertoire as he laced Purdy's body with spiteful shots on both sides, while notable uppercuts landed late in the opening sessions.

Despite a bloodied nose in the third Purdy continued to taked a high volume of blows, Alexander exhibiting the fast hands he is known for, although the underdog was never wobbled at any stage.

Purdy, himself slow on the draw and unable to get his big right hand off, goaded his opponent in the closer exchanges and crowed 'it ain't enough' as the bell sounded to close the fourth.
Artillary

But Barker asked for more in the fifth round and he got it - upper cuts and a solid right hand connecting although it didn't stop the champion from putting another round in the bank.

The next was a disappointing one for the Brit though, as he took a huge amount of artillary from the American without showing any aggressive intent.

However, the second half of the fight was further than many had predicted the underdog would see, and his courage under fire was a credit to the former British champion.

But in light of the volume of spiteful blows he was taking, particularly off the southpaw's right hand, Barker and the corner decided to pull their man out at the end of the seventh session.

Purdy was clearly distrought, imploring Barker to change his mind, but his great friend and gym-mate had clearly seen enough and the referee duly waved the fight off.

It was a disappointing and somewhat surprising end for the plucky Brit, who was not able to fight for Alexander's IBF strap after failing by 8oz to make the weight after the taking the fight at short notice.

However, the win will go down as a first defence of the title for the American - however Kell Brook - still his mandatory challenger - would have seen little to cause him sleepless nights over the coming months as he awaits an opportunity that may well have passed.