Chris Eubank Junior admitted he was living the dream last night after he won the Interim WBA world middleweight title.

The Brighton fighter stopped champion Dmitry Chudinov in the 12th and final round of a one-sided battle at the O2 Arena and declared: “I’m the champ! I’ve got my belt and that’s what I wanted.”

It was his first fight since he lost a split decision to British, European and Commonwealth champion Billy Joe Saunders last November for the only defeat on his 20-fight record.

Eubank Jr added: “I missed out on the opportunity last time and I made sure I didn’t make the same mistake this time.

“This is what I have lived for and this is my dream.

“I am still not the complete fighter and I still have things to learn. There were things I could have done better but overall I am happy with the performance.

“He was extremely tough to take the punishment he took and to not even take a knee or look for a way out made him a warrior.”