Joe Joyce scored a third round TKO win over Michael Wallisch to stay on course for an October meeting with Daniel Dubois.
The 34-year-old ended the contest with a vicious right and body shot to end the German's challenge at the BT Sport Studio in Stratford as boxing continued behind closed doors in the capital.
Joyce, who had not fought in over a year before tonight, was made to take a couple of stiff rights from Wallisch early in the contest as he sought a huge upset.
The 2016 Olympian found his rhythm however and dropped his opponent three times before the referee called the contest off.
It was a devastating finish from the Putney fighter; landing the thunderous shot upstairs before immediately following it up with one to the body that saw Wallish crumble to the mat.
Joyce and Dubois are scheduled to meet on October 24 in a bout twice rescheduled this year due to the coronavirus.
Due to the delays, both men opted for tune-up fights ahead of their all-London showdown that will move the winner into the frame for a world title shot.
Joyce took care of his side of the deal on Saturday night with it now over to Dubois to do likewise when he takes on Erik Pfeifer on August 29.
In Pictures | WBC heavyweight rankings | 19/07/19
Earlier on the card, middleweight prospect Denzel Bentley extended his professional record to 13-0 after stopping Mick Hall.
The Battersea fighter has stopped 11 of his opponents with Hall's team pulling their man out at the end of the sixth round.
The hard-hitting Bentley blasted his opponent with power shots throughout the contest with victory moving him into the frame for a British title shot.
Streatham's Chris Bourke meanwhile claimed the vacant Southern Area super-bantamweight title with a hard-fought win over Ramez Mahmood.
Mahmood, a school teacher outside of the ring, fought with plenty of aggression, matching Bourke in the volume of punches thrown but his opponent produced the more eye-catching shots over 10 rounds, closing out a 96-94 points win to take the belt.
Super lightweight prospect Henry Turner clinched a unanimous points with over journeyman Chris Adaway in his third professional fight, with Louie Lynn going 4-0 after a second round win over Monty Ogilvie.
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Denzel Bentley beats Mick Hall via sixth round retirement
Bentley goes 13-0 - 11 of those stoppages.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 6
The fight is over! Before they emerge for the seventh round, Hall's corner pull their man out with his eye looking in very bad nick.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 6
Bentley lands a huge right over the top - Hall smiles back at him but that was a tremendous shot from the Londoner. Hall's eye is starting to swell up a bit, he has taken some huge shots already and taken them well but the damage is there to see now.
A much better round from Bentley whose work is a lot crisper and cleaner. Another terrific left drives Hall into the ropes and he swarms on him, landing heavy again.
Hall is tough though and hangs in there.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 5
A quieter round from Bentley who retreats for a quick breather on two occasions - although Hall doesn't really capitalise and apply pressure.
It's a better round for him though and Bentley does appear to feeling the pace a bit. Hall takes his first round of the fight.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 4
Hall will be hoping Bentley's energy levels will drop as this 10-rounder wears on. No sign of that yet but the Londoner keeps coming forward with those power shots.
Hall lands a slick shot before the bell but that's another round for Bentley who is showing no signs of slowing down with most of his shots finding their target.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 3
Bentley continues to load up at the start of the round but switches to southpaw midway through, looking to create problems for Hall.
With 30 seconds left on the clock, Bentley starts letting fly again, keeping the pressure on with some huge hooks but Hall does well to come through it.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 2
Bentley is loading up big in this second round, body shots thunder around the studio but Hall isn't slowed down by them.
Another round for the Battersea man however.
Bentley vs Hall | Round 1
Both men land with the jab in the early stages with Hall keeping his distance well before getting in with a body shot with the right.
Bentley replies with a big double left to the body and then upstairs - he is leaving his hands down though.
Bentley vs Hall
Here we go! Bentley takes a knee as his name is called out.
Denzel Bentley will be joining us shortly - the explosive middleweight is looking to go 13-0 when he takes on Mick Hall.