Rhodes savours toughest success

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The Sheffield veteran, 32, rolled back the years with a shock seventh-round stoppage to end a pulsating fight in Bolton last night. But he admitted he had been forced to dig deep for a win that moved him back into world title contention - more than a decade after his last unsuccessful attempt for the WBO middleweight crown.

"In 14 years as a professional that is probably the hardest fight of my career," said Rhodes. "He threw some tremendous body shots - he is one of the best body punchers in Britain - and I knew I would have to tighten up."

He added: "He throws them without even thinking about it, that is what a talent he is, but I was taking everything and I knew I would come back with a shot and catch him."

While the European belt was the more tangible reward for the winner at the Bolton Arena, the fight's status as a World Boxing Council eliminator was both boxers' strongest motivation.

And it was Rhodes who moved a huge step closer to a crack at WBC champion Sergio Martinez as he floored his man in the seventh before finishing him off in style.

Moore was valiant in defeat, insisting he had lost on the night to the better man.

And Rhodes had nothing but mutual respect - insisting the Salford man will bounce back.

"Jamie has been a great champion for such a long time," he added. "He can definitely come back, of course he can.

"The two best light-middleweights in Britain were in there tonight - and it was a great fight."