John Ruiz lined himself up for a potential clash with David Haye after a routine win on the Nuremberg undercard.

The Quiet Man, who was persuaded to step aside from his position as mandatory challenger to the WBA champion, was too good for German-based Turk Adnan Serin.

He picked up a cut to the bridge of nose but was in control throughout and eventually forced the stoppage in the seventh round.

Growing into the fight slowly but surely Ruiz eventually stepped up a gear at the start of the round and trapped Serin in the corner, where he unleashed a flurry of heavy punches, the right hook leading the way.

Referee Josef Temml jumped in to administer the standing eight count but by then his corner had already made their mind up and when Ruiz was allowed back in to land one more big right, in came the towel to confirm his 44th win in 54 bouts.

It will not have Haye quaking in his boots, but was enough to make sure he keeps his name in the WBA frame.

Serin was hardly a slippery customer and was usually there to be hit, the straight right continually landing flush behind a jab that did more than find range.

In his defence Serin was game and trued to give as good as he got, but Ruiz walked forward throughout and was perhaps brighter and certainly more aggressive than expected, perhaps with a point to prove after being usurped by Haye in the pecking order.

And he says he would love to challenge the Briton for the same WBA belt he has won and lost twice already.

"I'd like to see a new face... maybe Haye in England, but at the same time I am willing to win the fight," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm glad I'm back. I've got new guys working for me and I managed to correct some of my old stuff, but thank God I managed to work on this new stuff too."