OLYMPIC gold medallist Michael Carruth took a big step towards a European championship bout when he beat the former British welterweight champion Chris Saunders at Mansfield Leisure Centre last night.

The referee stopped the bout in the 10th and final round when Carruth knocked down his opponent for the fourth time in a bruising contest.

It was unquestionably the most significant victory for Carruth since he turned professional almost four years ago and puts him in line for his first full European title contest.

Saunders won his title at Mansfield and, after losing it in February, looked set to make a winning return to the town when he opened a cut over Carruth's eye in the third and knocked him over two rounds later.

But almost immediately the Dubliner hit back, returning the favour, and then he put Saunders down a second time.

In the last round Carruth cut Saunders badly and then knocked him over to force the stoppage.