Promoter Frank Warren surveyed the mass of Press crowding round Wayne Alexander in his dressing room and quipped: "It's Wayne's world".

It was a great soundbyte for those in earshot. But it may soon become true as the Hailsham-based fighter had just produced a devastating salvo of punches to beat Italian Paolo Pizzamiglio and add the vacant European light-middleweight belt to the British title he already holds.

With both those belts safely in the bag, Alexander can now concentrate on winning a world title, although on the evidence of his display at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday, his promoter will want to see a more considered approach next time.

Alexander has a reputation for being one of the best punchers in a division bursting with boxers who believe they have got what it takes to be No.1.

In the heart of the East End, in front of a sell-out crowd, Alexander showed exactly why he has the potential to be a world beater.

Pizzamiglio, the former Italian light-middleweight champion who failed to win the European title when stopped in eight rounds by Frenchman Mamadou Thiam last January, always seemed up against it with a record of 28 wins and four losses.

Alexander appeared to want an early night as he went looking for the big knockout punch from the almost the first bell.

Pizzamiglio worked behind his jab and was mostly able to side-step some big swinging left and right handers. A couple of solid shots caught the Italian before Alexander sent him back to his corner as the bell sounded with another powerful left.

The second round followed the same script. Alexander put all his weight behind big punches with mixed success but took some stiff jabs which drew blood around his mouth as he let his defences down.

Apart from a slip, Pizzamiglio seemed as if he was going to negotiate the third round.

But suddenly Alexander unleashed a beautiful right hand that landed square on the jaw of the Italian and send him crashing to the deck.

He was up quickly but after the mandatory eight count Alexander pounced again and a succession of lefts and rights to the head forced Pizzamiglio on to the ropes.

Referee Daniel Van Der Wiele stopped the contest with a second of the round left, although out of his sight the towel had been thrown in from the Italian's corner.

Alexander said: "I was always in control. I knew just what I had to do."

The victory took Alexander's record to 18 wins and one loss, with 15 of those triumphs coming through knockouts.

The one blot on his copybook was a fifth-round defeat against WBO world champion Harry Simon 11 months ago, but there were mitigating circumstances as he took the fight at just 48 hours' notice.

Victories over Viktor Fesetchko and Joe Townsley in a British title defence since have put Alexander back on course and now he wants to take on the best the world has to offer.

Alexander said: "I am too sharp for all the light-middleweights in Europe and I am looking to bigger things.

"A defence of the European on the Continent and then I want to fight Oscar de la Hoya (WBC champion) or Fernando Vargas.

"I want to have a defence and fight abroad to get some experience."

Asked what was next for Alexander, Warren added: "He's going to fight again for another version of this title this year.

"But I'll tell you something, he's going to slow himself down. Those first couple of rounds were not good. He's got to work off his jab like he did in the third round. Once he got his jab going, he relaxed, found his distance and did what he had to do.

"You can't just walk out there and try and bomb everyone out of it.

"I'd like to see him fight for a world title again but obviously with a bit of preparation this time."

Although Alexander is anxious to fight abroad, Warren is not so keen.

He said: "I wouldn't have liked to have gone to Italy for this fight. I want home advantage.

"When he fights for a world title, I want him to fight it here. If you get drawn in the FA Cup you don't want to play away, you want home advantage."

That's good news for his growing legion of fans who would love to see Alexander win a world title on home soil.