after an absence of 11 months on the weekend when he was declared the winner over Russell Washer of Swansea, Wales, after the bout was stopped at the 2:27 mark of the fourth round.

The Bermudian, now based in Manchester, England, had delivered a crushing blow over Washer's right eye and it bled profusely.

Paynter improved his record to 14-4-2 and has not lost a fight since December 1990, when he was outpointed by Gordon Blair of Glasgow, Scotland. Since then he has fought 10 times, winning eight times with two draws.

The bout took place at the Hammersmith Apollo in London and was on the undercard of the Mike McCallum-Glenn Thomas showcase fight. Paynter is currently ranked 15th among middleweights in England.