Jordan Thompson proved his ability to take a punch as he earned his latest victory.

The unbeaten prospect took more risks than expected in a sixth-round knockout of countryman Luke Watkins in their cruiserweight battle. Thompson floored Watkins twice, the latter which prompted referee Howard Foster to halt the contest at 2:07 of round six in the DAZN opener Saturday at Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

Thompson entered the ring for the first time since he joined the growing stable of trainer Tony Sims. By his own admission, the 29-year-old regional titlist allowed Watkins to touch his chin more often than his team would have preferred.

At the very least, it showed that he could handle himself in the trenches. The same could not be said of Watkins, who stood tall for as long as he could before a committed body attack by his undefeated opponent proved too much to overcome.

Thompson floored Watkins with a combination to the midsection early in round six. Watkins (16-3, 11KOs) beat the count but was floored once again from a body shot after he was pinned against the ropes. The fight was brought to an immediate halt, to provide Thompson with a credible measuring stick performance; Watkins’ lone other stoppage defeat came in 2018 versus Lawrence Okolie (19-0, 14KOs), who has since claimed the WBO cruiserweight title.

Thompson advanced to 15-0 (12KOs). The stoppage was his first beyond three rounds.

Also on the show, Australia’s Skye Nicolson (7-0, 0KOs) was dominant but ultimately forced to settle for another distance win in an eight-round shutout of Linda Laura Lecca (15-7-2, 3KOs). Nicolson—a 2020 Olympic quarterfinalist for Australia—won 80-72 on the referee’s scorecard and is expected to next fight for an interim WBC featherweight title.

Headlining the show, Shavkat Rakhimov (17-0-1, 14KOs) defends the IBF junior lightweight title versus former claimant and local hero Joe Cordina (15-0, 9KOs).  

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox