Dillian Whyte made an explosive return to boxing when he stopped Christian Hammer within the third spherical in his first combat since November 2022.
Whyte was cleared to proceed his profession after it emerged {that a} constructive medicine check recorded earlier than his scheduled conflict with Anthony Joshua final August was brought on by a contaminated complement, with Whyte at all times protesting his innocence.
The 35-year-old, preventing in Castlebar, Eire on St Patrick's Day, defeated Hammer in fast time after his Romanian rival was pulled earlier than the fourth spherical.
Whyte landed a flurry of physique pictures within the opening spherical and continued to boss the bosses by means of the second three minutes.
The Brixton fighter was a bit wild within the third spherical however the harm seemed to be completed as Hammer – who additionally has defeats to Joe Joyce, Tyson Fury, Hughie Fury and Luis Ortiz on CV 27-11 – didn’t come again.
Whyte took his skilled document to 30-3, along with his solely defeats coming in opposition to Tyson Fury, Alexander Povetkin and Joshua.
Whyte avenged a fifth-round loss to Povetkin in August 2020 by profitable the pair's rematch a yr later, stopping the Russian within the fourth spherical.
The Briton has now received back-to-back fights, with Sunday's success in opposition to the Hammer following a majority victory over Jermain Franklin 16 months in the past at Wembley Area.
Communicate with Sky Sports activities earlier than assembly Hammer, Whyte stated: “I'd wish to have another crack on the world title. That's the purpose.
“I've completed nearly every little thing there may be to do in boxing. I've been in good occasions and unhealthy. I simply have to win the world title after which that would be the icing on the cake.”
Whyte fought Fury for the WBC belt in April 2022, the place he was stopped within the sixth spherical.