BASINGSTOKE boxer Jacob Gabriel made a winning start to his professional career against a much more experienced fighter.

Gabriel who has not been in the ring since June 2018, finally made his pro bow at a show at Action Indoors Sports in Whitchurch, Bristol.

The 26-year-old light welterweight boxer had an impressive 94-bout amateur career and is trained in Basingstoke by Trevor Francis.

He came up against Blackburn’s Naheem Chaudhry a veteran of 60 professional fights, but the Basingstoke fighter did not disappoint as he won three of the four three-minute rounds to take the victory.

He dominated the opening two rounds and then lost the third, but came back really strongly in final round to make sure of victory.

Gabriel said: “I am really pleased to win my first fight and I had some great support there even if it was moved from Southampton to Bristol.

“I felt good and the only disappointment was the third round, but I deserved the win and now I hope to get out and fight again before the end of the year.”

He is hoping this will be a lot nearer to his home town.