BOXING: Devastating David Starie made short work of American Ronnie Martinez on Saturday night's Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson world heavyweight title bill in Memphis.

BOXING

DEVASTATING David Starie made short work of American Ronnie Martinez on Saturday night's Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson world heavyweight title bill in Memphis.

Suffolk's 27-year-old British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion had Martinez down three times before the contest was stopped after one minute 28 seconds of the first round on the three knock-down rule.

Starie looked relaxed and confident from the word go and picked his punches so well. He soon got his viper-like left jab working smoothly.

The head of Martinez was pushed back several times before he went down.

He got up only to be dumped on the deck once more. Again Martinez got to his feet, but when he met the canvas for the third time the contest was stopped.

A jubiliant Starie, who will fly back from America today with his manager Gordon Holmes, said: "I got in some hard and hurtful punches. Martinez is a potentially dangerous opponent so I did what I had to do as quickly as possible. It's another good win and I'm well pleased.

"I'm punching harder than ever. I'm physically and mentally more mature and all I need now is another crack at the world title. This guy had a good record on paper, but I'm beating good fighters at the moment."

Former double ABA champion Starie's professional record now is 32 fights, 30 wins, 22 stoppages.

Since he went the twelve round distance with WBO world champion Joe Calzaghe only to lose on points, Starie has had eight straight wins, all inside the distance.

A spokesman for his Golden Fists promoters said: "David looked as powerful and efficient as we knew he would. We feel he can land a world title before long and will be working hard to try to make sure it happens."

An eliminator against Marcus Beyer of Germany could be on the cards with the winner challenging Eric Lucas of Canada for his WBC crown.