Another right hand over the top from McDonnell finds the target. Vargas takes it though, he is one tough man.

The overhand right is looking the key. Can McDonnell find the golden punch, the life-changing punch? He has less than five minutes to do it.

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

Tremendous stuff. McDonnell won that round. He threw two absolute crackers with the overhand right. Sheer bottle from McDonnell. His best round. 

The best round of the contest. Fantastic. McDonnell shows what he is all about. He is taking a few shots, but he has no option but to go for it if he is to have any chance.

Vargas hurt? Maybe.

An overhand right from McDonnell lands, it may be his best punch of the evening, and gets the crowd in full voice.

Vargas goes to the canvas shortly afterwards, but for the second time it was a case of being forced down and again there is no count.

Great stuff in round 10.

Image source, Reuters

Trainer Dave Coldwell motivates his man in the corner: "Be a tough man. You've got to be a tough man now. Every round has to be yours. Go for it now." 

Chinks in the Mexican's armour? For one brief half moment Vargas momentarily wobbles, although was it just a lack of balance or the reaction to McDonnell's power.

Full credit to the Englishman. He may be losing, he may be outclassed, but he is showing his guts, his character and his spirit. Will it be enough though?

Vargas calls McDonnell to come forward and then picks off the home fighter with a couple of crisp jabs when he does so.

But there is a little bit of fleeting success with the body shots from McDonnell. Is that the way to go for the rest of this fight?

Image source, Reuters

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

I've got to take my hat off to McDonnell. He''s giving it everything but he's going out on his shield here.

I think Vargas is looking comfortable now and I've given him every round bar one on my card. 

Credit to McDonnell but this has been a very difficult night for him. 

Four rounds to go. This is going to be some turnaround from this position. McDonnell may have taken just one of the first eight rounds, but even that was a close one.

Is there any way back for the Englishman?

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

Image source, BBC Sport

A glimmer of blood on the nose of Gavin McDonnell. There's concern, you can almost hear it rippling through the crowd. One good shot draws the "oh Gavin McDonnell" cry but it's brief.

Their man is game but Vargas holds his hands lower and exudes confidence.

More shots to the head, more shots to the body, more blood from the nose. This must be demoralising for McDonnell who is seeing his world title dream drift away.

Into round eight and McDonnell may be already needing a knockout, or at the least a knockdown or two.

Jamie McDonnell, Gavin's brother, on Sky Sports: "I think he's giving Vargas too much respect. Vargas is very skillful. He's tagging our kid very well. 

"Gavin needs to take the fight to Vargas."

Koba Fern: It's gone 2 rounds too far - McDonell is walking into bombs.

Some clever defensive work means McDonnell misses with a left hook and Rey Vargas lands with a brutal uppercut.

There is some blood on McDonnell's face and some work for his corner to do.

Image source, Reuters

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

Gavin's walking on to too many shots. 

Vargas is using the ring space very well, moving McDonnell around the ring and bringing him on to shots. 

As McDonnell is slowing down, Vargas is taking control of the fight. Gavin has to pick the pace up. 

Not totally sure on that one Tim, Vargas is clearly winning, but McDonnell has not had any moments when you think it is almost all over, and has not been knocked down either.

But he is up against a classy operator.

Tim: Starting to sound like McDonnell should be pulled out of the fight for his own health.

The earlier control and style from Vargas is beginning to look a bit ragged, with looping off-target hooks.

Yet a three-punch combination, culminating with a left hook to the head, shortly after once again shows the Mexican's class.

Still McDonnell comes forward, but he is going to need something special to get rid of his opponent.

Image source, Reuters

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

A brilliant round. Promoter Eddie Hearn up and clapping eagerly for the first round in which Gavin McDonnell brought it. 

That got the locals roaring again. Turning point? More of this please. Talk about intense.

The home fans cheer every punch that lands for McDonnell and that was his best round of the contest by a clear distance and may well have done enough to catch the judges' eyes in round five.

Great spirit shown from the Brit, who has lost the opening the four rounds, but may well have taken the fifth.