RYAN Martin’s body shot to wrap up victory in his Commonwealth title eliminator against Mziwoxolo Ndwayana was ‘world class’ according to promoter Mark Neilson.

Martin met the South African in the premier bout at Neilson’s Fight Town III show on Saturday – a contest that saw the Swindon-born welterweight compete in front of his hometown fans at Oasis Leisure Centre for the eighth time.

The 25-year-old shared an even first round with Ndwayana before delivering a crushing right hand to his opponent’s ribcage, sealing the South African’s fate.

And Neilson, who was situated meters from the canvas, said it was as good a punch as Martin could have delivered to emerge victorious.

Neilson said: “I felt the big shot at the end, and I think a lot of the front row felt it too – it was a world class body shot.

“When we saw that guy coming in, we knew he had a great pedigree and he’d stopped his last few opponents, so we knew he was a good calibre.

“And you have to be if you’re fighting in a Commonwealth title eliminator.

“When he took his top off, he looked ripped, but in the first round, it was fairly even, and Ryan looked sharp.

“I thought: ‘Ryan is going to have to be on his game here’ and fortunately he was.

“It seems to be the better the opponent, the better the Ryan.”

Following victory on Saturday night, Neilson revealed that Martin could be in line for his dream title fight as early as next March.

While nothing is signed yet, the promoter is keen to see the 25-year-old contest a Commonwealth title fight at some point in 2020.

Neilson said: “Me and Paddy Fitzpatrick have been talking about a potential name for Ryan to go up against next.

“If not, it will be a final eliminator against a top-10 opponent here in Swindon.

“That will potentially give us an opportunity for a British and a Commonwealth shot.

“That’s what we’re looking at for Ryan because that fight tonight will have opened up some doors for him, that’s for sure.”