Dennis McCann defended his Commonwealth super-bantamweight title and his unbeaten record with a dominant points victory over Brad Strand in Birmingham.

McCann knocked Strand down early in round two and dictated from then on.

The Maidstone-born fighter is now unbeaten in 16 professional bouts, winning 15, as this fight also earned him the vacant British super-bantamweight belt.

Strand struggled to land a blow as he lost for the first time in 12 fights.

McCann won by unanimous decision, with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-111, 116-111 and 116-112 in his favour at Resorts World Arena.

Champion McCann, who comes from a traveller family and cites Tyson Fury as an inspiration, does not lack confidence – claiming in the build-up that he has a bigger fanbase in Strand’s home city of Liverpool.

The unbeaten 23-year-old had suffered his first career blemish in his last fight, when his contest against Ionut Baluta ended in a majority draw after a clash of heads – and he came out to make amends at rocket pace.

McCann put Strand on his backside 20 seconds into the second round with a reverse one-two that broke straight through the Liverpudlian’s guard.

He followed this up with a long and powerful left that staggered Strand, who suffered swelling to his lips and left eye.

While Strand regained his footing, McCann was far sharper and landed the best blows – notably a short left hook that rocked his opponent’s head in round four.

Strand slowly grew into the fight, landing a couple of combinations in the eighth and going on the attack in the late rounds as he sought a knockout.

But though the fight went the distance, McCann was able to showboat with some flashy footwork at the end of round 12, knowing the win was secure.