Khan's birthday treat

It was the second defence of Khan's Commonwealth lightweight title in only his 15th professional fight, while 29-year-old Earl, from Luton, was returning to the ring for the first time since a brutal defeat at the hands of Australian Michael Katsidis in February when they contested the WBO interim world title.

Earl undoubtedly represented the toughest test of Khan's career to date despite the Olympic silver medallist being a heavy favourite.

But Khan confounded his critics with a stunning, quickfire stoppage victory after swarming all over the stunned Earl and knocking him down just one minute and 12 seconds into the fight.

Both fighters got down to business immediately after the first bell, weighing in with swinging and somewhat speculative shots.

But Khan immediately got the measure of his opponent and countered anything else Earl came forward with in fine style.

One such counter-assault forced Earl to retreat but, spurred on by such success, Khan steamed forward with trademark enthusiasm.

A fantastic left hook rocked Earl to his boots less than a minute into the contest and when Khan immediately followed up with a similar shot, the veteran's chin was hanging out and the resulting punch sent him to the canvas.

Referee Howard Foster administered a mandatory eight count before the fighting resumed.

But it soon became clear Khan had the fight all-but won, as the young Lancastrian surged forward with a flurry of punches which left Foster with no option but to step in and wave it off.