WORCESTER boxer Owen Cooper marked his professional debut with a win on points at Walsall Town Hall.

The teenager, backed by a following of nearly 150 Worcester supporters, beat Paul Cummings from Bristol in the welterweight division.

His much-taller opponent also weighed nearly a stone more but Cooper was up to the task during the BCB Promotions’ Britain Awaits show.

From the bell the former Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club ace dominated the centre ring to make Cummings move around the outside.

His rival kept a high guard up at all times but found it difficult to steer clear of the combination of punches thrown by Cooper whose strong right scored him points.

In round two Cooper stayed on the front foot from the start and forced the pace with Cummings taking some hard hits to the head.

But he did not give in and tried to catch his rival with a few right hands although Cooper's fast head movement made it difficult.

By the third round Cummings was tiring and Cooper constantly pushed forward to land some strong clear shots to shake his opponent who battled on.

The fourth and final round saw the 19-year-old, trained by Malcolm Melvin, looking for the stoppage cheered on by his loud followers.

But Cummings, with just two wins from 41 fights, never gave up and held on to the final bell as the Worcester fighter claimed the points verdict.

Cooper, who also thanked his sponsors, said: “The support I have received from Worcester has been amazing and for people to go out of their way to come and watch me means so much.

"I would like to thank each and every one of them.”

Cooper became an England youth national amateur champion last year and represented his country before joining the professional ranks.