Oxford Academy welterweight Malcolm West launched his career in style by halting Luke North of the host gym in less than three minutes at Hitchin.

A flurry of punches opened gaps in North’s guard before a right hand over the top landed flush on the cheekbone to propel him to the deck.

North managed to get to his feet just before the bell, but after the interval West then began pummelling the body and put his opponent on the deck twice more.

West, a 19-year-old undergraduate, is among a growing number of students at Oxford Brookes University to have embraced the noble art.

OBA lightweight Ben Kal-uza, 15, concluded his tenth bout with an impressive points win over Billericay’s Like Fowler at the same show.

He proved far too nimble for his rival from the bell and mesmerised him with a succession of solid shots off the jab.

Fowler was caught by a vicious left that opened a cut over his right eye near the end.