By Paul Upham in Southport: WBC women's featherweight world champion Sharon "Wild Thing" Anyos defended her title with a 6th round stoppage win over Esther Schouten on Friday night at the Southport Sharks Club on the Gold Coast, Australia. After Schouten from the Netherlands had set the pace in round 1 with some strong right hands which has the local crowd nervous, 35 year-old Anyos took control in round 2 and simply outworked her taller opponent and wore her down with an unrelenting assault.

"I worked so hard for this win in and out of the ring and it makes me so proud to have this WBC title around my waist," said Anyos 13-3 (4). "By fighting and promoting, it has been my hardest fight so far and I am so pleased to have won this way."

"I am very disappointed," said Schouten 18-4-1 (9). "It was a tough fight and she was stronger than I was. Maybe it would better for me to stay in a lower weight class."

Anyos, who has now won her last seven fights, was impressed with Schouten's performance.

"My opponent has been absolutely amazing and is one of the best sportspeople ever to come to this country," said Anyos. "Esther has a fantastic record and I knew when I first met her on Wednesday that she was going to be tough fight. I respected her from the opening bell and she could definitely fight."

28 year-old Schouten, who had been unsuccessful in her last fight challenging for the IBF women's featherweight world title, got off to an impressive start in round 1, landing some well timed and powerful right hands from the outside. But in round 2 the flow of the fight changed as Anyos was able to jab her way in and work over Schouten's body and head consistently with a series of hooks and uppercuts. The lean boxer was unable to tie the stronger Anyos up on the inside, leaving herself open to a vicious barrage. By round 3, Anyos was in complete control outworking Schouten and using nice combinations to land punishing blows.

In round 4, Anyos landed her best right hand of the fight, which caused a cut above Schouten's left eye. Referee Brad Vocale stopped the action to allow the ringside doctor to inspect the wound and ruled that the cut was caused by a punch. Schouten was on the back foot now and doing everything possible to try to time Anyos with uppercuts as she charged forward.

The end was near at the beginning of round 6, as Anyos landed a series of stunning right hands and left hooks which had Schouten wobbling at the knees and slumping on the ropes. With Anyos standing over her landing punches from all angles, referee Vocale had seen enough, making a good stoppage at the 1:37 minute mark.

"I wasn't worried after Esther fought so well in round 1," said Anyos' trainer Lovemore Ndou. "I knew that Sharon could make it easier for herself by staying calm and working off the jab. Eventually she was going to catch her. Once she caught her, I knew she was going to break her down and that's what happened."

After the win Anyos made a point of thanking her loyal fans in the audience.

"I want to thank every single one of you for coming here tonight and supporting me. It brings tears to my eyes," she said. "I want to thank my Lord and our God Jesus Christ, everything here tonight is all thanks to him. He has made such a big change to my life."

Anyos is looking to make her WBC mandatory defence next.