Champion Antonio Tarver stopped Danny Green in the ninth round on Wednesday to claim the IBO cruiserweight world boxing title.

The 42-year-old American was in control from start to Sydney Entertainment Centre and twice hurt Green in the first round. He knocked on the other.

The referee stopped the fight after the ninth punishing round for Green, who defended the IBO title for the fifth time.

Tarver, a three-time light heavyweight world champion, improved to 29-6 with 20 knockouts. Green fell to 31-4 (27 KOs) after his first defeat since 2006.