Naseem Hamed's American future will be confirmed this week after his brilliant, seven-round destruction of Jose Badillo of Puerto Rico in defence of his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) featherweight title at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday. His likely opponent at Madison Square Garden on December 19th is the popular New Yorker, Kevin Kelley.

He watched admiringly from ringside as Hamed produced the full spectrum of his talents to add weight to his extravagant, though increasingly justifiable claims that his is the outstanding boxing talent in the world today.

"He was excellent," said Kelley, "he showed great tactics. He has tremendous ability and a fine jab. He did what he had to do."

Badillo was no bum. The 27-year-old mandatory challenger, though slow of foot, absorbed colossal punishment but showed no shortage of ambition or punch power before he was pulled out by his corner when the going became hopeless.

Hamed had boasted he would end the contest in the third. When it became clear he couldn't, he contented himself with the gradual erosion of the granite-chinned south paw's defences.

It was not only Badillo who was reduced to open-mouthed confusion. Even the time keeper was apparently hypnotised, or perhaps was showing compassion to the outclassed Puerto Rican, as he sounded the bell to end the round a full minute early.

Hamed told the crowd afterwards: "To everyone who lost bets (on the fight finishing in the third) I'm really sorry. But I'll make sure you get the chance to win it back."

He added later: "It took me a few more rounds than I thought because he was a great fighter. But I could see his face staring at me, and I knew that I was hurting the man and he was deteriorating with every round. I'm the best and now I'll show America.

"I'll take over boxing there." Asked whether the Americans would appreciate his disco dancing ring walks, posturing and posing, Hamed replied, "Of course, they're all pretty false."

Not exactly a WBO rating for tact and diplomacy. Kelley, not surprisingly, sees a possible meeting with Hamed rather differently.

"He'll bring out the best in me. I ain't worried about nothing. And as for fighting in front of my own crowd in the Garden, it makes no odds. I'm a fighter and I'll take him on in the bathroom if that's what they want," he said.

In the second title fight of the night, nominally topping the bill for television purposes, Joe Calzaghe proved too much for Chris Eubank, as the former champion tried to regain the WBO super middleweight crown made vacant by the retirement of Steve Collins.

Eubank was floored by a left hook to the head after only 20 seconds. In 49 previous professional contests dating back to 1985, only Collins and Michael Watson had forced him to endure such indignity. Although he survived the onslaught and fought back well in the middle rounds, Eubank seemed to receive little direction from his corner.

Long-time trainer Ronnie Davies had been dispensed with and former world light heavyweight champion Dennis Andries appeared to be attempting to direct operations.

When Eubank needed wise words to vary his tactics and do more than simply hammer away at Calzaghe's body and lunge in with increasingly desperate overhand rights, either none were forthcoming or he chose to ignore them.

Calzaghe had seemed to be fading, but rallied in the later rounds, and the result was put beyond doubt in the 10th when Eubank stumbled and lost a further point when referee Joe Cortez, officiating in his 98th world title fight, ridiculously delivered a standing eight count to the disbelieving former champion.

Ultimately youth prevailed. Though Calzaghe's technical deficiencies are glaringly obvious, he has a strength and vigour which will carry him through more tough tests in years to come.

"I proved I can punch," the 25year-old Welshman said, "and I showed that I can take a shot. He hit me with his best, but never hurt me. His stamina was not good. I trained a long time to prove I am the best around."

The future for Eubank was unclear, but if he decides to fight on he may get another title opportunity challenging Germany's WBO light heavyweight champion Darius Michalczewski.