He wanted a "top performance" on his return to the ring and that is what Mitchell Smith delivered in his first bout for five months.

A hand injury had kept Smith out since October but he came back in style on Saturday as he knocked out Welsh champion Mark Evans in the second round at York Hall.

The Harrow Weald boxer, who is a former Bushey Boxing Club fighter, was sharp and accurate with his punches as he extended his unbeaten record as a professional to eight wins.

Smith was well supported at York Hall after selling out his allocation of 400 and he gave his fans plenty of reasons to cheer.

The 21-year-old landed several impressive right hands in an opening round he dominated.

His trainer Jason Rowland stressed the importance of Smith remaining patient in the corner after the initial three minutes but the contest was over halfway through the second round.

A powerful right hand to the body set Evans on his way to the canvas as another right landed on the Welshman's head. Smith's opponent carried on but once again a strong right sent him over and this time, whilst he beat the count, referee Jeff Hinds ended the contest.

Evans (now 9-1-1) was angry and some questioned whether the stoppage was early but Smith was almost certainly on his way to a stoppage victory, the fourth of his career.

Smith expects to be back in the ring on April 12 as part of a show at the Copper Box Arena.

Read about what motivates Smith and the sacrifices he made before Saturday's fight here.

It was a great weekend for Bushey Boxing Club graduates after Smith's stable-mate Miles Shinkwin was given a Southern Area title shot. Read more here.