LUKE Watkins has been crowned the new Commonwealth cruiserweight champion after stopping Robin Dupre in the sixth round at the York Hall tonight.

The unbeaten Swindon fighter produced a barrage of punches that had Dupre, who came into the fight undefeated from 12 contests, staggering before referee Malcom McDonnell jumped in to wave the contest after two minutes 16 seconds of the sixth round.

However, Watkins, who has now stopped eight of his 12 opponents, started the fight slowly with the Dagenham outworking the 27-year-old and catching him with a number of upper cuts.

After dropping the first two rounds, the Paddy Fitzpatrick-trainer boxer, who won the Irish title last time out, came on strong in the third and his power was starting to have some affect.

In the fourth round, Watkins sent Dupre to the canvas with a lovely shot. The 30-year-old took McDonnell’s count but still had to navigate more than 70 seconds of the session.

However, Watkins was unable to find a killer blow and Dupre was able to recover.

The fifth round, Dupre once again outwork the former New College student before Watkins picked up his game in the sixth to produce the stoppage and win his second professional title.