The class act of Friday night's show at York Hall in London was was Richard Williams, who was having his first fight since February. His opponent, Vedran Akrap, from Croatia, was a big, long-armed type who looked strong and started well but fell apart dramatically when William’s short, hurtful shots started landing. In the fifth, Williams landed a good left uppercut and then a big right which put Akrap down for a count of eight. He arose looking hurt and referee Richard Davies rightly waved it off. Also on the show, ex-British welter champ Young Mutley left a hapless Alexander Abramenko down for the count on all fours at the end of the first round.

Williams, who is a study of composure both in and out of the ring, did exactly what he needed to do and he did it in his own time, feeling his way into the fight and then dismantling his opponent with artful precision.

Akrap was down right at the end of the second round from a straight right to the chin, but looked more stunned than hurt as he was doing well up to that point.

The Croatian looked dug well to the body in the third, but Williams, cleverly catching punches on the way in with his gloves, was already starting to get past the long arms of his opponent and a fast right hand, beautiful short left hook put Akrap down for another count near the end of the round.

The fourth was a tighter round and looked hard for both fighters. I had Akrap edging it as he used his reach advantage and forced Williams on to the back foot for a spell.

The fifth round started close, Williams throwing one-twos, with Akrap returning everything keenly. Williams, though, had been closing the range slowly, and during an exchange he ducked and spun his man, landed a good left uppercut and then a big right hand which put Akrap down for a count of eight. This time he arose looking hurt and referee Richard Davies rightly waved it off. The stoppage came at 2:54 of the fifth round.

Williams, who showed snatches of sublime skills here, was tuning up for his November clash with Howard Eastman for the British Middleweight Title. That promises to be a fascinating contest.

In a match made at light welterweight, recently deposed British welterweight Champion Young Mutley left a hapless Alexander Abramenko down for the count on all fours at the end of the first round.

The Belarusian was never in the fight. Mutley hurt him from the off, reddening his opponents face and landing at will with hard punches. Abramenko was knocked down with a temple shot in the final minute of the round and referee Richard Davies, looking closely into his eyes, decided to let it continue. Mutley helped himself to a huge left hook to the body to sink his man again, this time for the full count, which continued after the bell to end the round had sounded.