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.”

Meanwhile, JOE Jackson Brown hopes the Banbury public gets behind him when professional boxing returns to the town next month.

Jackson Brown tops the bill at the first show in the town since 1962 at Spiceworld Leisure Centre on Saturday, November 1.

The 25-year-old meets Anthony Fox over eight rounds for the vacant British Challenge Belt at super-middleweight.

The show also features Leo D’Arlanger, Sammy Tales, Scott James, Nathan Reeve and Kieran Conway.

Jackson Brown, who grew up in Oxfordshire, hopes the venue will be filled with around 800 fans – and he wants to send everyone home happy.

“Banbury people always get behind you,” he said.

“And I’m looking to sell

300-400 tickets.

“I’ve been taking 130 people with me to venues in London that are a nightmare to get to – and now we’ve got one on our doorstep to look forward to.

“I’m buzzing. I’m hoping the venue will sell out and if it does, hopefully there will be two or three shows there every year.

“That would give me the chance to build a following and build towards bigger fights.”

For Jackson Brown, the fight at Spiceworld is a return to where his boxing career began.

“I had a white-collar fight there in 2012,” he said. “I only did it for a bit of fun and to get fit.

“But I stopped the lad in the second round with a body shot and got such a buzz from it, I started taking boxing more seriously.”

Jackson Brown went on to win all seven of his fights in the Queensbury Boxing League and since turning professional, he’s won all five.

He has relocated to Essex to be closer to the gym, where he trains with Kevin Lilley.

Tickets for the show are available from 07449 741032.