Bendall stopped in four in Denmark

In Herning, Denmark on Saturday night Rudy Markussen (37-2, 24 KOs) stopped Coventry's former English middleweight champion Steven Bendall in the fourth round.

Markussen is starting to earn his 'Hardhitter' nickname as Bendall (now 29-7) became his seventh stoppage in his last eight wins.  

The Dane landed his power punches early, knocking the 38 year-old down with a flurry of rights in the third. When he had him in the ropes again following a series of power punches in the fourth, the referee waved the bout off after 32 seconds.

“I am ready for a title fight,” Markussen said. “Let´s get it on.”

Bendall's last win was his surprise and rather controversial 96-94 victory over Paul 'Smigga' Smith as long ago as June 2008.  The Midlands man has only boxed three times since then.

He lost his English title on points to Darren McDermott in February 2009 before having a break for two and a half years.

He returned in August of this year losing in Germany to 24-0 Dominik Britsch before being halted by Markussen.

Image courtesy Photo Wende