Norwich's Sam Sexton has lost his British heavyweight crown.

The 33-year-old's first title defence against Hughie Fury in Bolton on Saturday night was stopped in the fifth round.

Sexton was felled by a stunning right hand by the 23-year-old home favourite at Bolton's Macron Stadium, having hit the canvas at the end of the previous round.

Sexton was sent to hospital after the fight for precautionary check-ups, and will this week discuss his future with trainer Graham Everett.

Before the fight Sexton had insisted defeat would bring his career to an end after 28 fights.

However, what they will both take into account is the fact Sexton was by no means outclassed by Fury, whose last outing was a controversial world title challenge defeat to Joseph Parker. Fury used his long left jab to keep the champion at bay. A lot of the challenger's big right-hand bombs were failing to cause any problems, but at the end of the fourth, as Sexton came forward, Fury counter-attacked and stunned Sexton, and following up with a shot which put the Norwich man down.

Sexton looked to have recovered well between rounds and was Fury was finding his range, the champion was on the front foot when disaster struck two minutes and three seconds into the fifth; he launched an attack on Fury in the corner and the younger man pulled out a stunning right-hander which got through. He got to his feet, but referee Terry O'Connor had seen enough and Sexton's reign was over.

Afterwards, Fury said: 'This fight is dedicated to my dad (trainer, Peter).

'I was confident. My body has got so much stronger. I worked on my right hand over Christmas. It was a boxing masterclass.

'I dream to be a world champion. Whoever has got those belts - I'm coming. Although I lost [to Parker], I'm coming. I'm ready to fight.'