Dunne looks the part in points win

Bernard Dunne confidently outboxed Argentina's Damian Marchiano to record a well-deserved points victory at the National Stadium last night, continuing his recovery from last August's shock defeat to Kiko Martinez.

Back fighting in Dublin for the first time since losing his European belt to Martinez, Dunne dominated throughout and referee Emile Tiedt scored the fight 100-90 in the Dubliner's favour.

The ten-rounder could have seen Dunne falter as Marchiano, clearly frustrated at his failure to catch his opponent with any clean blows, continually tried to lure the home fighter into a brawl.

But Dunne, although his defence was suspect at times, did well to keep his distance and continue to pick off his shots.

The 28-year-old opened well and landed a decent right hand in the first round, followed by some good combinations in the two subsequent rounds.

Dunne slipped to the canvas in the second round but his fall was due to a loss of footing and not a Marchiano punch.

The South American struggled to get into the fight and he dropped his guard slightly in the fourth and fifth rounds as Dunne connected with a series of jabs and hooks to the body, particularly off the left side.

Marchiano wobbled in the sixth when Dunne caught him with a powerful left hook and tagged on a left uppercut for good measure but, fighting for the first time in Europe, 'El Resorte' showed his durability by lasting the pace.

It was not enough though to deprieve Dunne of his 26th pro win, following on from April's success over Felix Machado in Castlebar.

Dunne was comfortably ahead on points, with most observers having him on top in each of the ten rounds.

Referee Tiedt thought likewise and Dunne's impressive display will surely have some of Europe's leading boxers and promoters taking notice once again.