BASINGSTOKE professional boxers Jacob Gabriel and Bryce Goodridge will be back in action for the first time this year when the pair fight at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth on February 29.

This is Gabriel’s second professional fight having beaten Blackburn’s Naheem Chaudry at the Action Indoors Sports in Whitchurch, Bristol last time out in October last year/

The welterweight has been training hard at the Essex Road Gym with Trevor Francis along with Goodridge and is looking forward to his returning to the ring.

Gabriel said: “I can’t wait to fight again and hopefully it will be the first of four or five fights this year, so I can get towards fighting for a Southern Area belt.”

The 26-year-old admitted he has never fought at the O2, but was there to witness Goodridge in action last September when he beat Alan Bishop.

Gabriel said: “It is a really nice venue and I am looking forward to boxing there, Being in Bournemouth I am hoping for a lot of support from Basingstoke.”

For Goodridge this will be his fourth professional outing, having made his pro debut back in March last year with a victory over Raimonds Sniedze in Southampton.

He then followed this up with a victory over Lewis van Poetsch.

The eight fight card bill starts at 6pm with doors opening at 5.30pm at the venue at 570 Christchurch Road in Bournemouth.

Tickets are priced at £30 for standing, £40 for seated and £60 for a ringside table.

They are available from both boxers either call Jacob Gabriel on 07305532448 or Bryce Goodridge on 07496165549.