THERE was a new and unwelcome sensation for Stephen Simmons last night when he surrendered both his unbeaten record as a professional boxer and his WBC international silver cruiserweight title after being stopped by home favourite Jon-Lewis Dickinson in the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

The Edinburgh fighter, who won a Commonwealth bronze medal for Scotland in Delhi in 2010, went into the bout with 11 wins from 11 fights, five of them by way of knockout. But fighting on Eddie Hearn's televised Geordie Roar bill, it was Dickinson, a 28-year-old from Durham, whose brother Travis was also on the bill, who gave the crowd something to shout about.

This was a typically aggressive display from the 30-year-old from the capital, who was on the front foot throughout, particularly during the evenly contested early stages. But he failed to persevere with his good early work to the body and instead walked into too many clean shots from Dickinson, a man battling to save his career after back-to-back defeats to Ovill McKenzie and Courtney Fry.

This product of the North East had Simmons in trouble in both the fifth and sixth rounds - the bell coming to his assistance while he teetered on the ropes in the latter. While there was a minor Simmons resurgence in the seventh, the referee had little choice but to end the contest just one round later, with the Scot appearing unsteady on his feet after another fine right hand from Dickinson had left him on the canvas.

"Of course it was it was do or die for me," said a victorious Dickinson. "I am not going to keep getting beat. It would have been the end. He is a strong lad, who was always going to come forward. But we had confidence in the camp. I know when I look in the mirror that I am a 100% different man from I was then."

Thankfully there was at least one successful border raid from a Scottish fighter to recount last night. Earlier in the night, Charlie Flynn, the 21-year-old Commonwealth lightweight gold medallist, betrayed little ill effects from his recent back problems as he recorded a unanimous points victory against Andy Harris in the second bout of his professional career.

The Lanarkshire fighter has been working with movement expert Finlay Menzies as he battles the back and groin issues which forced him to withdraw from his proposed bout with Ideh Ochuko last month, and after a tentative opening round he led Harris a merry dance.

Harris was hit with a barrage of hefty rights, enough to dump him on the canvas in the third. With a cut above his right eye, Harris was soon just happy spoiling and holding to survive, and while he was unable to finish his man off, the Scot came out a comfortable winner by a 40-35 margin. While there was a minor disappointment for Flynn that changes to the schedule saw him moved down and out of the live televised broadcast, he is still at the phase of his development where any pro rounds are a blessing. "Great win tonight, dropped him in the third, thanks for all the support," the Scot said.