Donovan Smillie's expression lived up to his name as he clutched a rather special prize outside Pennington's in Manningham.

"I'm not going to let this out of my sight," he beamed, proudly cradling the British Masters super-middleweight belt that he won in the most devastating manner.

Boxing is accused of dishing out titles willy-nilly but Smillie has had to wait a long time for this one.

And the popular Bradford fighter saved the best performance of his career for when it mattered most.

Opponent Mike Duffield, from Cleethorpes, had outpointed him over four rounds at Derby 14 months ago. But the present-day Donovan is a very different animal.

Duffield certainly didn't know what had hit him as he was finished off midway through the third of the scheduled ten rounds.

He may have enjoyed a height advantage of nearly six inches but the visitor, sporting black and white Grimsby Town shorts, went down as quickly as his football team.

Smillie, topping the bill for the first time in his 15th pro fight, must have been tempted to go off like a bull in a china shop as another full house roared him forward.

But his approach remained cool and calculated - for the first round at least - as he calmly stalked the taller man and probed for an opening.

Duffield's corner expected a whirlwind and must have been delighted with the start. But it proved the calm before the storm.

Smillie negated his rival's longer jab by stepping inside - and then revealed his power with a thumping right hook which sent Duffield staggering. He fired off a left for good measure and Duffield was on the floor.

He took the eight count but looked decidedly wobbly and must have been relieved to hear the bell.

Smillie had the bit between his teeth, though, and there was no way he would let Duffield off the hook. A left jab knocked his opponent off balance early in the third round before Smillie moved in for the kill. Another cracking right hook smacked against Duffield's jaw and another swiftly followed as his victim was nearly lifted off his feet, spinning round into the ropes as the referee came to his rescue.

"I felt sharp in there, strong, and it all came together," said Smillie as he soaked up the cheers of his fans. "I prayed to God for this and my faith has been rewarded.

"I've got what I wanted and what I prayed for, it's right here. I lost to him before but I knew I could do it this time because I had the fitness.

"I'm so pleased that I've managed to win another title for Bradford."