The 35 year-old produced a firecracker of a left hand early on in the first round and Dawson hit the ground hard before referee Michael Griffin decided the champion was in no position to continue.
Stevenson then embarked on a freakish in-ring celebration before breaking down and crying at his achievement, which now sets up a meeting with mandatory challenger Tony Bellew later in the year.
In chief support, former featherweight champion of the world Yuriorkis Gamboa was roundly booed for his performance in gaining a 116-111 (twice), 115-112 decision win over previously unbeaten Darleys Perez.
The Cuban failed to shine once again as promoter 50 Cent watched on from ringside and may struggle to gain a huge fight in future against the likes of Ricky Burns or Adrien Broner if his efforts aren’t stepped up.
