This was Scull’s first appearance since his infamous defeat against the Mexican in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 3. The pair combined to throw the fewest punches in a 12-round fight in Compubox’s 40-year history. It was a spectacle that was memorable for all the wrong reasons. He and Canelo were criticized for their toothless performances, but the 33-year-old former IBF champion arrived in Kolding, Denmark, with hopes of working his way back towards the world title picture. But highly rated Bank, one of the division’s rising stars, blew a hole in those plans by becoming the first to stop Scull, The Ring’s No. 10 super middleweight. It looked as though he would have to settle for a points win, despite dropping Scull twice in the sixth, but after 2:37 of the 12th he finally secured the knockout he craved. These are heady times for Bank, who will marry his partner Sasha on Monday before they welcome their second child next month. Then, the WBO’s No. 4 contender can look forward to a potential world title shot later this year.

After 17 straight wins as a professional for Bank, Scull represented the most slippery assignment his career and the opening rounds were evidence of that. Alvarez had failed to pin down the Germany-based Cuban at any point and Bank was finding Scull equally elusive. The capacity crowd inside Sydbank Arena whipped up an incredible atmosphere and it did not dissipate, although hometown hero failed to land a punch of any note across the opening three rounds. Neither, however, did Scull. Instead, the visitor spent much of his time with his back against the ropes and weight on his back foot, waiting for Bank to commit in order to counter.

His defeat to Alvarez was the first of his career. Before that, Scull had already forged a reputation as hard to hit let alone hurt and Bank was finding out exactly why. Aside from a few jab exchanges, there was very little action to report through six. But then, with only seconds left before the end of the round, Bank found a huge breakthrough. It all started with one of those jabs but an overhand right sent Scull down for the first of two quick-fire knockdowns. He managed to climb to his feet to beat the count twice and the bell saved him as Bank poured forward. He bought himself a bit more time with a blatant low blow early in the seventh before tucking back up into his shell, but by now Bank was full of confidence and well into his groove. He was stalking Scull with his hands down and even switching stances to launch attacks from southpaw, too. After overcoming his crisis moment, Scull was back in defensive mode and offered almost nothing aside from the odd jab as Bank attempted to close the distance. Scull was on the canvas three times more in a messy ninth, although none was a legitimate knockdown. Instead, Scull had taken to crumbling under the weight of Bank whenever the pair got close.

Scull was beginning to unravel in the 10th and was visibly wobbled by another stiff jab from Bank. Back to the ropes he went as the home favorite marched forward in search of a statement knockout.

And it would finally come with just 23 seconds remaining in the fight, as he forced the third knockdown with a vicious right hand. This time, although Scull rose to his feet again, referee Mikael Hook decided enough was enough.

In the chief support, undefeated Dina Thorslund, 32, marked her first fight since November 24 with a lopsided points victory over Almudena Alvarez. Thorslund (24-0, 9 KOs) is a two-weight world champion having picked up titles at bantamweight and junior featherweight but is on the hunt for gold in a third weight class. This victory, which came via scores of 100-90 (twice) and 99-91, was enough to claim the WBC interim featherweight title with full champion Tiara Brown firmly in her sights.