Ryan Rhodes catapulted himself into the world-title picture with a stunning seventh-round stoppage of Jamie Moore to clinch the European light-middleweight title.

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.

It was Rhodes who moved a huge step closer to a crack at WBC champion Sergio Martinez as he produced an upset, flooring his man in the seventh before finishing him off in style.

Moore, 30, was making the second defence of the belt he won in style against Italian former world champion Michele Piccirillo in March. That victory took the Salford man up to third in the WBC's rankings as he chases a long-awaited world title tilt.

Sheffield's Rhodes, meanwhile, already boasts world title experience - having challenged unsuccessfully for the WBO middleweight crown more than a decade ago.

As expected, Moore began the fight pressurising his man - while Rhodes looked to box at range. It was the Salford fighter who enjoyed the better opening round, however, landing clean shots with alarming regularity.

Moore's jab and work in close gave him the upper hand early on, although Rhodes was more prepared to trade in the second and landed plenty of right-handed jabs and hooks himself.

Several searing body shots and a lovely left-right at close quarters by Moore were dealt with well by Rhodes, who also showed his strong chin by shaking off a winging left which landed flush. Rhodes finished the fourth stronger, however - with a left of his own giving Moore something to think about.

Both fighters were warned for low blows in the sixth, Moore landing a hurtful shot below the belt before Rhodes retaliated a minute later.

Rhodes' fortunes were improving, however, with his superior shot selection earning him rounds. While Moore was blowing, the Yorkshireman still seemed to have plenty in the tank.

The seventh round proved to be the fight's spectacular climax.

In the opening moments, Rhodes floored Moore with a right hook which sent the champion to the floor emphatically.

Moore showed a champion's heart to regain his composure and beat the count. He then went on to completely dominate the round - only for Rhodes to finish it mercilessly.

Moore, gasping for air and running on empty, was caught by another right hand to the chin which sent him to the ropes. Rhodes could sense blood and steamed forward, landing cleanly - with nothing coming back before referee Howard Foster waved the end, with five seconds of the round remaining.

Rhodes said: "He caught me with some good shots, I knew he would. He's one of the great body punchers of our time.

"I knew I was breaking his heart, I was catching everything and thinking to myself 'I'm going to come back with a shot and catch him'. I felt that in between rounds two and four.

"When I hit them and they go down they usually stay down. But you've got to give it to him, he's been a champion for all these years but I think he's been at this level too long and that's worked in my favour."