Impressive Ursu floors Razaq to put himself in prime place

PLYMOUTH boxing prodigy Constantin Ursu is now the number one mandatory contender for the Commonwealth welterweight title after demolishing challenger Basi Razaq in a Silver Commonwealth title clash on Saturday.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Ursu won by third-round knockout against the overwhelmed Razaq at the Brentwood Centre in Essex night to underline his growing status and put himself on course for an assault on a major title.

Already the Southern Area welterweight champion, Ursu has now stopped his last three opponents having floored all of them in onesided contests, the latest of which headed a televised bill.

Razaq was forced into taking a knee in the opening seconds of the first round after Ursu landed a crunching left-hand body shot.

But he was counted out altogether in round three after another searing body shot and a follow-up to the head.

The Moldova-born pugilist has lived in Plymouth for six years and made the city his home, even dubbing himself the 'Dynamite Kid' in homage to former British and Commonwealth champion Scott 'Dynamite' Dann.

But the 24-year-old has the potential to go even further than former champion Dann, despite having to box in Essex due to a lack of shows in Plymouth.