SOUTH Moreton’s Terry Russell made a blistering start to his professional career with a third-round stoppage victory on a big show at London’s York Hall.

The Didcot fighter, who had previously been a national super middleweight champion in the Queensbury Boxing League, dropped to middleweight for his pro debut against Martin Khabril, who had stopped his last two opponents in the first round.

Russell floored his opponent with a heavy left hook near the end of the second round and continued forcing the pace of the fight in the third.

A well-timed straight-right counter saw Khabril down again.

He got to his feet, but the referee stopped the contest off after 26 seconds of the round.

Russell said: “I felt very good in there. Everything we’ve been working on in the gym came together, and I think the professional style is much more suited to the way I box.

“I’ll be back in the gym next week to keep improving and look to get back out again early in the New Year.”

South Moreton’s head coach, John Houston, said: “Terry’s learned his trade winning titles on the semi-pro circuit, and now he’s ready to be let loose on the pros.”