Tony Bellew reignited his world title chances with a stunning fifth-round TKO of Danny McIntosh. Bellew's big-hitting display saw him retain the British light-heavyweight crown at Liverpool's Echo Arena. He had been out of action since losing his unbeaten record to Nathan Cleverly at the same venue for the WBO title in October last year. But the Scouser shook off the ring rust with a clinical performance in front of his hometown fans. Bellew knocked down the challenger in round four and a brilliant overhand right quickly ended the contest in the next session. The Bomber improved his record to 17 victories, with 11 knockouts, and he will surely be looking for another shot on the world stage. Bellew said: "I don't need Nathan Cleverly to make a name for myself, or a living. "You've seen who he's fighting — he's fighting a guy ranked No83 in the world. "I'm supposed to be the one coming in off the loss and I'm fighting a former European champion. "I don't want to go on about it. He is what he is, he's fighting who he's fighting. I just want to fight people who test me. "I want to see how good I am, I want to see where I can go and I just want to test myself to the limit." After a tentative opening in which both men landed decent right hands, Bellew stepped up his effort to deliver on his promise. The Liverpudlian used his accurate jab to good effect and delivered several crisp combinations. An overhand right hand towards the end of round two staggered McIntosh, who barely survived as Bellew went for the kill. The champion was landing at will in the third round and McIntosh took to spitting out his gumshield after another concussive right hand found its mark. He was down in round four after being pummelled along the ropes but Bellew was denied the chance to end the fight by the bell once. McIntosh would not be saved a third time as Bellew ended an explosive contest with a tremendous finish. Lunging forward, McIntosh left himself wide open and Bellew took advantage in clinical fashion. He landed with a right hand that sent the 32-year-old sprawling, with referee Terry O'Connor calling an immediate halt to proceedings 38 seconds into the round