MATT McCarthy believes his win over Bulgarian tough guy Zoltan Turai last weekend has shown he is ready to take his boxing up another level.

The 21-year-old from Tilbury knocked his rival out in the eighth round on a sweltering night at London’s York Hall on Saturday.

And he believes it was the best performance of his life.

“I surprised myself to be honest,” McCarthy said. “I kept up my workrate right throughout the fight.

“I had him down in the seventh round. He was a tough guy and got up again. But I finished it with 10 seconds to go in the eighth.

“It was a good test for me because he was a tough fighter, but I’m ready to step up now.

“The reaction I had from people in the York Hall that night was amazing. They said it was the fight of the night.

“It was the best I have ever boxed by a mile. I could have won a British title if that had been on the line in that form and that’s what I want to be aiming for now.

“I’ve gone beyond Southern Area level I want to be fighting for English or British titles.”

McCarthy, who fought Turia at the catch weight of 10stone 10lbs, says he will take anyone on at either welterweight or light middleweight.

“I want big fights now,” he said. “I’m big at both weights so would take anyone on.”