Croydon light-middleweight Wayne Alexander overcame a first round scare in his comeback fight on Saturday to stop veteran Howard Clarke in less than two rounds.

A sustained flurry of blows from Alexander, 30, of Westcombe Avenue, forced the referee to stop the fight after 90 seconds of the second round at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.

But the 36-year-old Birmingham boxer, a former world title challenger, gave Alexander a fright in the opening round, when a sharp left-hook to the body forced him to take an eight count with 30 seconds remaining.

Alexander told the Guardian: "It took me by surprise. I was winning the round comfortably, but he caught me with a left hook to the ribs which knocked the wind out of me so I went down on one knee.

"Jimmy (Tibbs, his trainer) told me to force the fight and jump on him. I did that and had him all over the shop right from the bell. He was out on his feet for a good minute before the ref stepped in."

It was a decent comeback for the former British and European champion, after he was sensationally knocked out by unfancied Brixton fighter Delroy Mellis in December.

Although Clarke has an unimpressive record, he is known as a durable opponent who took former world champion Richard Williams four rounds.

Alexander said: "It's a good win because very few fighters have stopped him. The important thing was to look good and although I did take a count, I took him out in style."

The Croydon puncher has a meeting with Frank Warren this week to discuss his next fight, and Alexander hopes he will be fighting Margate's Takaloo in a tantalising domestic showdown for the vacant WBU world title in April.

He added: "I want to fight Takaloo in April and become world champion."