WORCESTER light-middleweight Steve Cooper picked up the second victory of his 14-fight pro career at Barnsley Metrodome.

Cooper completed a comprehensive 59-54 six-round points victory over Rotherham's Paul Royston.

The Yorkshire boxer, in search of his second paid victory, made the better start and took the opening round, having scored with a pair of right hooks to the body and a heavy overhand right.

From the second round onwards though, Cooper, his confidence growing, moved onto the offensive, catching his opponent coming in with increasing regularity.

By the end of the penultimate round, Royston had picked up a slight swelling beneath the right eye.

Any hopes he had of posting a big finish were left in tatters when, having slipped under pressure, he was a touch unfortunate to be given a standing count by Doncaster referee Michael Alexander.

Cooper's only other pro win had come on his debut back in September 2002, though he did then have a spell of nearly four years away from the ring.