Northampton boxer James delighted as he claims fourth straight professional win

The Northampton fighter was too quick, too classy and simply too good for his experienced opponent over the four rounds, and although James felt he could have done even better, he was still very pleased with his night's work.

"It was good, he was a tough lad," said super lightweight James, who was fighting on the undercard of the world title fight between Josh Taylor and Apinun Khongsong.

"He came in more game than I thought, and he hit me with a few silly shots, but nothing too worrying.

"I had a change of opponent at the last minute so that threw me off a little bit (James was supposed to fight Nathan McFarlane), but it is what it is. I have to adapt to who's in there in front of me, and I did that."

James's victory, which took place behind closed doors at York Hall in Bethnal Green, took his professional record to four wins from four, and he admitted the 32-year-old Pilkinton was a step up from his previous opponents.

"I want people to come and push me, and he was one of the tougher ones so far, he pressured me a bit more, and I wanted him to keep pushing me," he said.

"When you are fighting fully grown men they are tougher than 16-year-olds in a way, but it is what it is. They are not going to go down with little shots.

"It was my first time on TV and I wanted to give a big performance.

"I have been working on some power shots in the gym, and they will come in the future.

"I have only just turned 20 last week, so it will come in time. My power will hopefully come with age, and those big shots will start dropping a few in the future."

James' performance drew praise from BT Sport's guest pundits on the night, former world champions Carl Frampton and David Haye.

And the youngster said he will take on board the pair's advice.

"With my own performance I always criticise myself a bit too much, but I will go back and watch it, and take on board what they have to say," said James. "They are top boys and know what they are doing."

Team Shoe-Box trainer James Conway was also pleased with his fighter's performance, and said: "It was fine. It was exactly what we have been working on in the gym, plenty of feet movement, and I just want him to be a tiny bit shaper.

"But he is still developing, and he is a baby in this pro game.

"I was very satisfied with how it went, and as Eithan says he is his own worst critic.

"Every time he has a spar in the gym, he watches it back and says 'oh, it wasn't as bad as I thought', and I think he'll find that when he watches the fight back. He is always too harsh on himself."