Jeremy Hill returned home to collect the best win of his career.

The hard-luck lightweight prevailed in an in-state grudge match versus Mark Davis, whom Hill stopped in the fourth-round. A looping right hand by Hill rocked Davis, who was floored by the ensuing valley. Referee Terry Boudreaux ended his count early to stop the contest at 1:30 of round four in the opening bout of the DAZN main card Saturday from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Davis fell out of favor with the referee early in the bout. The Baton Rouge-based lightweight was disciplined for losing his mouthpiece barely a minute into the contest and was issued a final warning for the same infraction in round two. The positive take away from Davis in the opening round was his ability to get inside the long left jab of New Orleans’ Hill, who enjoyed a six-inch height and reach advantage.

Hill was instructed to work behind his jab to make things easy on himself. The 30-year-old lightweight followed his corner’s instructions to a tee, shooting the stick from long range in rounds two and three. Davis was able to touch the body on the occasions he worked his way inside and also connected with a right hand upstairs when Hill stuck around too long after he landed a combination.

A contentious rivalry came to a screeching halt in round four. Hill connected with a right hand around the guard of Davis (19-2, 5KOs), who was rocked along the ropes. Hill followed with a right hand, left hook and right hand to send Davis to the canvas for the bout’s lone knockdown. It was enough to produce the end of the fight.

Hill (19-3, 12KOs) picked up his third straight win and made good use of the DAZN slot provided by close friend, and two-time junior welterweight titlist Regis Prograis (28-1, 24KOs) who headlines the show. Prograis—born and raised in New Orleans but who lives and trains in the greater Houston area—will attempt the first defense of his WBC title versus Puerto Rico’s Danielito Zorrilla in a scheduled twelve-round contest.  

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox