Jane Couch struck an historic blow for female sport when she became the first woman to box professionally in Britain last night when she and her German opponent became the first women to box professionally in Britain. It took Couch just 184 seconds to knock out 18-year-old German Simona Lukic at Caesars Nightclub in Streatham.

More than 1,500 people jammed the south London venue and the ring was besieged by more photographers and TV crews than might turn up for Mike Tyson.

It was Couch's first fight since taking a hostile Boxing Board of Control to the Equal Opportunities Commission to force them to issue her with a licence.

She maintains her boxing skills are as good as a man's and there was no questioning her fitness, muscled shoulders and boxing talent.

Referee Richie Davies was quick to step in and lead Lukic, an economic student from Frankfurt, back to her corner, where she underwent several minutes of treatment from the ring doctor.

A delighted Couch said later: "I was a bit nervous but when I got in the ring I felt great."

John Morris, secretary of the Boxing Board of Control, who was at the ringside, said: "It's an historic night for British boxing. But I haven't the foggiest about where women's boxing goes from here."

Mike Tyson has agreed to a settlement with two men he allegedly attacked after a traffic accident, but the former heavyweight boxing champion still faces criminal charges even after reaching a deal to prevent civil suits by Abmielec Saucedo (62), and Richard Hardick (52), who like Tyson live in Maryland suburbs near Washington.

Tyson (32), will go to trial next Tuesday. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Plans to announce a comeback fight for Tyson were scrapped earlier this month.