He put his North West EBF title on the line at Blackpool's Syndicate Superclub – and was found wanting by home fighter Chris Rutherford.

McDermott was roared on by a huge following in the 1,800-strong crowd but was knocked out in the third round.

He seemed to neglect his smooth skills and instead mix it at close quarters which played into powerful Rutherford's hands.

Top of the bill on a hugely entertaining evening of quality boxing was the long-awaited heavyweight title clash between American colossus

Butterbean – all 29 stone of him – and Londoner Mark Potter, who tipped the scales at a finely-toned 17½ stone.

It was expected to be a close contest and the atmosphere was electric as the fighters were led into the ring behind their national flags.

The first round started with Butterbean trying to force the pace, but Potter's accurate power shots soon had the bigger man in trouble.

He found himself trapped in a corner near the end of the first round from which he couldn't escape.

The referee had no choice to save Butterbean from further punishment, but not before his nose had been broken.

Potter's performance earned great praise from former world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon, who was watching on from ringisde.

In the other title fights on the night, Tommy Cush lost his North West title to Blackpool's Tom Scott on points.

And at cruiserweight, the EBF title now belongs to slick Blackpool fighter John Durrant, who won all six rounds in a hard battle with Australian Vinny Lopez.

The EBF's next event comes next Thursday, September 25, when promoter Spencer Brown hosts a boxing dinner at Blackpool's DeVere Hotel.

Guest of honour for the evening is the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard, who won world titles at multiple weights and also grabbed an Olympic gold in the 1976 Montreal Games.

But there will be up to six former world champions in attendance, who will be available to pose for photographs and give autographs.

Tickets for the three-course meal cost £50, and are available from Peter on 07939 406601 or Spencer on 07872 824978.