Natasha Jonas wins world title at third attempt

Natasha Jonas realised her dream of becoming world champion at the third attempt as she captured the vacant WBO female super-welterweight title with a clinical second-round stoppage of Chris Namus.

Last May, Katie Taylor denied Jonas a world title win with a unanimous points victory in Manchester - another head-to-head win for the Bray boxer in addition to a London 2012 Olympic quarter-final - while the Liverpudlian also came agonisingly short in a draw against Terri Harper 18 months ago, was jumping up three weight classes to take on former 154lb titlist Namus in Manchester.

If there were any worries at how Jonas would handle a leap into the unknown they were soon banished as she put down her Uruguayan opponent twice before referee Howard Foster stopped the contest 28 seconds into the second round.

The Liverpool fighter, an ex-amateur standout who surprisingly weighed two pounds more than Namus at 149.25lbs at Friday's weigh-in, looked switched on from the outset, landing punches in bunches and getting in and out of range.

The taller Namus, supported by Uruguayan compatriot and Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani at ringside, was sent crashing to the canvas for the first time by an overhand left, roundhouse right combination.

It looked a heavy knockdown and although Namus seemed to have recovered when the second round started she soon stumbled back to the canvas in a bout that served as the chief support to the Amir Khan-Kell Brook grudge match.

Namus' corner threatened to throw in the towel as she got back to her feet but Foster had seen enough despite the 34-year-old's protests to leave Jonas, aged 37, celebrating the finest moment of her professional career.

On the undercard, Frazer Clarke started life in the