COLNE hitman Shayne Singleton believes he has taken a significant step forward in his career after beating Adil Anwar in Manchester.

'The Pain' had his Yorkshire opponent down in the first round but had to wait for the eighth to finish the job on the undercard of Anthony Crolla's world title defence against Ismael Barroso.

The 26-year-old received national exposure with the fight screened live on Sky Sports and victory secured the vacant WBC International Silver welterweight title.

"I was really happy with (my performance)," said Singleton. "There were bits and bats I could pick fault with but I got the job done in good style and I came out a happy man.

"It was massive to be on a bill like that. When I got the call about it I was over the moon, when it was confirmed as a title fight and a tough 50-50 fight I was even happier.

"It's a significant step for me. I know he's not been as good lately as he was earlier in his career, but he's got some really good wins on his record, he's a former English champion, a Prizefighter champion, he's been there and done it and he's still very good.

"Beating him is a good name to have on my record and it pushes me on to the next level."

Singleton has now picked up three successive victories since losing to SamEggington in Hull last March, and he believes he has come on leaps and bounds since then.

"I think I'm better on the mental side of it especially, as well as my boxing ability, my power is coming on and my upper body movement is better," he said.

"I still need to relax a little bit more when I'm throwing my shots rather than tensing up as I'm throwing them, but that will come.

"Mentally I'm a totally different fighter to when I boxed Eggington."

He added: "I just stuck to the plan on Saturday. If I hadn't had the Eggington fight I would have got involved in a scrap a number of times on Saturday. He banged his gloves together and tried to get me to fight him, but I thought I'm not falling for that trick again.

"I could have gone in and had a fight but it was passing through my mind that I'd made that mistake last time and I won't do it again."

Singleton is now targeting further title fights later this year, and would relish a battle with British and Commonwealth champion Bradley Skeete.

"I'm hoping to fight for a British or Commonwealth title but if that doesn't come off then defend my WBC belt," Singleton said of his forthcoming plans.

"I just want to get back on some big shows on Sky and on cards with big main events.

"There's a chance of a fight with Skeete. If we get the opportunity I'm taking it and that's that.

"I know it's a very hard fight, he's a class boxer, but we'll work on a plan and get it to perfection and I can't see why I can't go in there and beat him after a good 10 or 12 weeks of working on a plan with Karl.

"If that doesn't come I'll keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully get put in a mandatory position."