BERLIN, April 27: European heavyweight champion Sinan Samil Sam retained his title late Saturday after stopping Britain’s Julius Francis in the seventh round of their contest at Schwerin in northeastern Germany.

Sam, 28, made a successful second defence against 38-year-old Londoner Francis, who twice went to ground in the seventh round and the Italian referee Guido Cavalleri quickly stepped in to end the fight after a blow to the head had the Briton down a second time following an initial count of eight.

Sam, nicknamed the Bull of the Bosporous, preserved his perfect record after 18 contests with 11 wins coming by knockouts while Francis saw his record slide to 11 losses for 23 wins and one draw.—AFP