British super-middleweight champion Carl Froch enjoyed a comfortable night's work by beating over-matched Albert Rybacki inside four rounds.
Froch had been frustrated by several projected opponents pulling out of the fight and was under pressure to put on a show against the little-known Pole.
And in front of his loyal home-town support at the Nottingham Arena, Froch recorded the 23rd win of his unbeaten career against the visitor from eastern Europe.
Froch, 30, had been gearing up for a long-awaited world title eliminator but when Denis Inkin withdrew for the second time, the WBC instead installed the Briton as mandatory challenger for their champion, Joe Calzaghe.
The Welshman, though, is almost certain to vacate the belt rather than defend against his domestic nemesis Froch.
After Inkin's withdrawal, promoter Mick Hennessy immediately began the search for a top opponent to step in as Froch aims to maintain momentum ahead of his anticipated world title tilt.
However, former world champion Alejandro Berrio declined the offer to come to England and American Rubin Williams was unable to travel to the UK, so undefeated Rybacki (15 wins, eight knockouts) was called upon as third stand-in.
It was only 37-year-old Rybacki's third fight since December 2004 and he offered little in the early stages as two Froch left hands landed. A left hook to the body saw Froch end the first round strongly, although he was dominant throughout.
The second was less eventful until Froch appeared to floor Rybacki only for referee John Keane to rule it a slip.
Rybacki seemed to be coming out of his shell in the third only to be firmly discouraged as Froch hit him twice in the ribs, soon following up with a sustained attack culminating in a brilliant right uppercut.
Froch's timing, range of shots and power were clearly superior against the outclassed Pole who, to his credit, seemed to be soaking up the punishment.
However, as the world title contender continued landing powerful shots at will, referee Keane stepped in and waved it off in the fourth to spare Rybacki further punishment.
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