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Armenian boxer Hovhannes Bachkov forced the referee to step in and spare Cristian Coria further punishment after pummelling his Argentinian rival in Dubai on Sunday, Eurosport reported.

The dark horse of the super-lightweight division mauled Coria for seven rounds before the official waved it off near the end of the eighth, deciding the 39-year-old had taken too many shots.

Bachkov, who sustained a relentless pace and threw an incredibly high volume of punches, now moves to 3-0 as a professional and with Probellum’s backing, the Armenian plans to be in world title contention in double-quick time.

The 29-year-old, an Olympic bronze medallist, cuts a menacing figure and in becoming only the second man to stop the experienced and tough Coria, he sent a warning shot to the super lightweight division.

Bachkov targeted the right side of Coria’s body throughout, hammering him with sickening left hooks, and though he has exceptional amateur credentials, his come-forward style looks tailor made for the pros.

“I planned that and tonight I did my job effectively and quickly,” said the outstanding Armenian.