CONTENDER Gym trainer Mark Kent was proud of the performances two of his fledgling fighters served up as they clinched their first professional victories last weekend.

After seeing appearances on two scheduled shows fall through, light-middleweight Liam Hodson, 22, finally made his professional debut at the Action Indoor Sports Centre in Bristol whilst lightweight Ryan Wheeler, 21, stepped into the ring for his second outing in the paid ranks.

Bradford on Avon’s Hodson got his career off to a winning start with a confident 40-37 points victory over Derbyshire southpaw Luke Brassfield whilst Wheeler knocked down Swindon journeyman Joe Beeden in the first round before romping to a thumping 40-35 triumph, following up his draw against Elvis Makoda at the same venue last year.

“It’s hard to put shows on but they did well (on Saturday) and I’m proud,” said Kent.

“Ryan’s only been with me about 12 months and Liam’s been with me on and off for a while now.

“It’s a work in progress but they don’t want to be looked after – they want proper fights and that’s what the gym’s about anyway.

“They aren’t going to be protected. Ryan wasn’t in his first fight. He had a hard fight and he got a draw and I think we’ll move him through quite quick because he had a good amateur background.

“It’s all coming together and it’s a work in progress at the moment. We’ve got a couple of other lads at the gym that we’re looking to bring through.”