NICK Blackwell dispatched yet another challenger to his British middleweight throne by blasting his way past Jack Arnfield in Bristol tonight.

The 25-year-old Trowbridge ace, once again fighting live on Channel 5, made use of his unrelenting power to stamp his authority on a durable and spirited competitor as he took an emphatic unanimous points decision at the City Academy, defending his title for the second time.

Blackwell’s Lancashire opponent, a late replacement for Watford’s Elliott Matthews, looked confident early on, working behind an effective jab, but every early shot he landed was met with boastful encouragement from the reigning champion, who ushered Arnfield to come forward.

Arnfield continued to enjoy early success with his superior range in the second round but in the third, ‘Bang Bang’ stepped up the defensive side of his game and drew blood from his opponent’s nose after hitting the sweet spot with an arcing hook.

But just like in his previous fight against Damon Jones, Blackwell’s power can change the landscape of a fight within an instant.

A handful of fearsome right hooks hit the sweet spot and left Arnfield first bleeding from the nose and then from a cut near his left eye.

The challenger was left visibly shaken midway through the fourth and the deluge continued, with Blackwell piling on the pressure in the fifth round and causing his opponent to drop to his knees to receive a count from referee Michael Alexander.

Arnfield survived to battle on, but the pendulum had swung firmly in the direction of the Wiltshire champion, who went hunting for the stoppage, pinning him back time and again with ferocity.

Blackwell continued to load up as he looked to finish off Arnfield, who took punishment in spades as but remained hardy as ‘Bang Bang’ put him through the wringer.

Trainer Gary Lockett could be seen urging his charge now to allow his opponent a moment’s respite as the cat and mouse contest wore on and a punishing right hand late in the tenth round momentarily had Arnfield in trouble again, only for the 26-year-old to recover well and hang on.

A spiteful combination from the hands of Blackwell rocked Arnfield to the core in the penultimate round and had him bleeding from his eye once again and the Blackpool man had his head shifted time and again at the death as ‘Bang Bang’ went for the big finish.

Arnfield survived to the final bell, despite being pummelled in the final round, but the manner of the victory was emphatic as Blackwell took the win 117-111, 117-110, 115-112.