By Miguel Assuncao

SSE Arena,Wembley - Amateur boxing sensation Katie Taylor (debut) knocks out Karina Kopinska (7-14-3, 2KOs) in the third round in her professional debut.

The Irishwoman - a five-time world amateur champion and London 2012 Olympic gold medallist - was levels above her Polish opponent. 

Taylor, 30, pressed forward from the off, landing a number of sharp right hands that forced Kopinska to cover up before bloodying her nose with a ramrod jab in the second.

The Bray fighter then turned her attention to Kopinska body, landing a number of punishing left hooks before finishing her combinations upstairs.

The inevitable finish came 58 seconds round three as Taylor moved through the gears, pinning Kopinska in the corner and unloading a barrage on unanswered shots to force the referee to wave off the fight - to delight of a sizeable Irish contingent in London.

Martin J. Ward recovers from a knockdown to defend his British super featherweight title with a points win over Ronnie Clark. The judges scored the fight 115-113, 114-113, 116-112.

Ward (15-0-2, 8KOs) controlled the pace for much the fight but was dropped by a short left hook from Clark (17-3-2, 10KOs) in the tenth.

In an entertaining twelfth round, Clark - down on the cards - came out looking for the knockout only to be hurt himself before recovering and having Ward on unsteady legs as the round drew to a close.

The Essex-based fighter had used his speed to skip in and out of range as the awkward Dundee fighter pressed forward in the hope of landing one big shot in the early rounds.

Ward, 25, landed a number of one-two combos in the seventh which left a mark over the Scot's left eye and it seemed to give the Brentwood-based fighter the encouragement he needed.

He had Clark, 33. retreating following a well timed right to the body in the eighth but struggled to follow-up on his success as Clark looked to tie up and work on the inside.

Several untidy rounds rounds followed but 'Wardy' was able to stay out of major trouble and claim the win on the scorecards.

It was Ward’s first defence of the title he won by beating Andy Townend in September.