Harper's world title triumph caps knockout night of boxing at Magna

Terri Harper beat Nozipho Bell in front of a full house at Magna to land the vacant IBO Super-Featherweight crown.

The 22-year-old from Denaby was given a good test by the tough South African before forcing an eighth round stoppage to become Britain’s youngest female world champion.

Harper wobbled Bell in the third round and although the fighter from Port Elizabeth survived and re-grouped, Harper gradually re-imposed here authority, twice flooring her opponent in the eighth before the fight was waved off.

The championship comes in only Harper’s eighth pro contest, five of which have ended inside the distance, and less than two years since she turned pro.

Her success, which was acknowledged on Twitter by top promoter Eddie Hearn, capped a good night of boxing put on by Stefy Bull Promotions and Ryan Rhodes.

Bramley super-lightweight Lee Appleyard, fighting for the first time in his home town, out-pointed Fonz Alexander in a lively contest to tee up the possibility of an autumn crack at Commonwealth champion Philip Bowes.

Lee Appleyard tussles with Fonz Alexander. Pictures by KERRIE BEDDOWS

Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell began his comeback towards a hoped-for third world title shot with a winning workout against Devon’s Jamie Speight.

Sheffield super-middleweight Nicolie Campbell got the better of former Cameroon Olympian Serge Ambomo, now based in Rotherham, while cruiserweight Callum Beardow delighted his big band of supporters by out-pointing Derby’s Elvis Dube on his pro debut.

The show attracted a crowd of approaching 1,500 to Magna and more are promised.