By Elliot Foster

Alex Dickinson maintained his undefeated ledger in Belfast –– but was extended the distance for the first time.

The 30-year-old heavyweight was delighted to get another victory on the undercard of Carl Frampton’s homecoming at the SSE Arena.

Dickinson, fighting in the Northern Irish capital for the second time since turning professional back in June, outpointed Milen Paunov over four rounds.

“I was hoping I could put on a bit of a better performance, if I’m honest,” Dickinson, whose fight was screened exclusively live on BoxNation, told Boxing Scene shortly after his 40-36 win.

Dickinson’s fight –– his first since getting a stoppage on the undercard of Hughie Fury’s unsuccessful challenge of Joseph Parker for the WBO heavyweight title at Manchester Arena back in September –– came as a live float after adopted Scouser Zolani Tete iced fellow South African Siboniso Gonya inside 11 seconds of the first round to retain his WBO bantamweight crown in scintillating style.

“I was hoping that he’d open up a bit more, so that I could get my shots off, but it is what it is,” he added. "A win is a win.

“His head was hard and he was a massive pain in the a**e, but I can’t thank the guys at MTK and Frank Warren enough for getting me on another massive world title show and on TV again.

“It’s on to the next one now and we’re hoping for some news soon.”