Josh Warrington retains Commonwealth featherweight title

Josh Warrington (left) is now undefeated in his 22 professional fights

Josh Warrington moved a step closer to an all-British world title clash against Lee Selby with a 120-108 points win against Australian Joel Brunker.

Warrington, 24, dominated every round to retain his Commonwealth featherweight title at the First Direct Arena in his home town of Leeds.

He said: "It was a big test but I stuck in and showed I can box 12 rounds."

On the undercard, super-middleweight Martin Murray stopped Colombia's Jose Miguel Torres in the fifth round.

The Merseyside fighter took a step closer to a showdown with WBO champion Arthur Abraham with a strong performance against his 36-year-old opponent, who was on the canvas in round one and given six more counts before the referee stopped it.

Undefeated Warrington gave up two of his three belts - his British and European titles - as he concentrates on securing a world title bout, and he showed his credentials against an opponent who had just one defeat in 29 bouts - a ninth-round stoppage by Selby last October.

The Yorkshireman's fast and accurate punches had the Australian on the back foot and he did everything but produce a knockout blow.

Warrington added: "Joel is a world class opponent and I knew that I had to be 100% switched on. I am happy with that.

"This was all about working towards a big world title fight at Elland Road."

Eddie Hearn promotes both Warrington and Welshman Selby and indicated to Sky Sports that a fight at the home of Leeds United next year could be on the cards.

Before then Selby will make the first defence of his IBF title against Fernando Montiel in October.

Also on the undercard, English super-featherweight champion Andy Townend survived an early cut to his right eye against Tipton's Lee Glover before retaining his title with a knockout in the seventh.

In the evening's first bout, Liverpool cruiserweight Tony Bellew - a former Commonwealth champion and world title challenger at light-heavyweight - stopped Latvian Arturs Kulikauskis in the fifth round.