KEY POINTS:
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron marked his return to the ring with a commanding knockout win over American Jonathan Haggler in Auckland last night.
Cameron finished the scheduled 12-round bout in the sixth round after a dominant display against the taller southpaw.
The fight ended when Haggler was knocked to the floor and stayed there as referee Bruce McTavish counted him out.
Cameron's 20th career win in 21 fights saw him retain his International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific belt as well as secure the vacant World Boxing Organisation's Oriental and Asia-Pacific titles.
The early rounds were even with Haggler showing fast hands before Cameron began finding his range and he dominated the third round after landing a series of clean punches.
Haggler opened up a small cut under Cameron's right eye in the fourth round, which ended with the New Zealander pressing forward, attacking the American's body and forcing Haggler against the ropes.
The cut was a concern because Cameron, 30, has earned a reputation as a bleeder.
He lost his last fight, sixth months ago to Nigerian Friday Ahunanya, after his face was left bloodied by gashes over both eyes. Cameron underwent plastic surgery to help fix the problem.
But blood began pouring above his other eye in the next round, which he again controlled after hurting Haggler with a heavy body blow.
Cameron began to look more urgent and went hunting a decisive blow without landing it.
He followed the same tactics in the sixth when Haggler began to tire noticeably, and the American increasingly looked gun shy before he almost inevitably went to ground.
It was Haggler's third loss in 21 fights.
- NZPA
