BURY boxer Scott Quigg believes his impressive victory over Ukrainian Oleg Yefimovych in Monte Carlo last weekend puts him right in the mix at the top of the featherweight division.

The 29-year-old put in a powerful display to win by technical knockout early into round six in Monaco in the WBA eliminator, becoming the first opponent to stop Yefimovych – a man who had only previously been beaten twice and had not lost in seven years.

And while he is relatively new to the division, Quigg says the move up to featherweight has been good for him and believes he showed he is ready to have a crack at a world title again in 2018.

He has previously held the belt at super-bantamweight before suffering his only professional defeat, to Carl Frampton in Manchester 19 months ago.

Speaking exclusively to the Bury Times, Quigg said: "It showed I belong at a high level – higher than Saturday night.

"I am now in line as mandatory challenger to face either Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares and I believe I can beat either of them.

"On my day I know I am good enough to get a world title again."

Quigg admits he was reckless at the start on Saturday night but he still landed good punches from the first bell, as well as missing with a few overeager air shots.

As the fight progressed, he landed more right and left hooks and some good body shots as the 36-year-old Ukrainian tired quickly.

Quigg took control in the fourth and fifth rounds with some persistent punching and just 50 seconds into the sixth round,

Puerto Rican referee Luis Pabon had seen enough.

Quigg added: "I did to him what no one had ever done before and that is stop him.

"He is a quality fighter and I knew it would be tricky but I think I showed what I am all about on Saturday.

"At times I was a bit reckless early on but overall I enjoyed it.

"I felt very comfortable in there.

"I think the way I started was a bit down to having just four-and-a-half minutes to warm up after the fight before me finished early.

"My timing was more off than usual at first and I know I was a bit giddy at the start.

"Once I found my range, though, I felt it was only a matter of time until it was stopped in my favour.

"In the fourth and fifth I felt it was coming and I am happy with the performance."

Backed by friends and family from Bury in Monaco, Quigg was delighted to send his supporters home happy as he looks forward to a break before what he hopes will be a big 2018 in the ring.

He said: "I think there was something like 35 who travelled over from Bury to support me but it sounded like a lot more.

"They made a lot of noise and I can only thank them for being there."