WITHAM boxer Tom Ansell was pleased to take another step closer to a potential title shot as he maintained his unblemished record as a professional fighter.

The 24-year-old, who works as a personal trainer at Witham Leisure Centre, defeated Bulgarian Radoslav Mitev on a unanimous points decision as he made it three professional wins in a row at the iconic York Hall venue in Bethnal Green.

Mitev, who is two years older than Ansell, came into the welterweight fight with a record of ten wins, 35 losses and one tie from his 46 bouts but that greater experience proved no use as the Witham man dominated throughout, with the judges scoring it an impressive 40-34 in his favour.

Ansell said: "I thought he (Mitev) would be a bit more active, but as soon as I hit him, he backed off.

"He only caught me twice in the whole fight and when he did come forward I put him over.

"I think he under-estimated my power, but it was a good fight for me.

"My aim coming into it was to box well and I wasn't bothered about a stoppage.

"If it came, then excellent, but my coach had just said to keep calm and let it flow and I feel that's what happened.

"I'm learning on the job as a professional as I didn't have an amateur career and most of my early fights came in the unlicensed ranks, so this is still an apprenticeship for me until I can get a major title.

"It is another step forward for me towards that title though, so I'm really pleased."

Ansell said he already had a date for his next fight and would be back at York Hall on June 9 on a show that is being promoted by former World Heavyweight Champion David Haye.

However, the Witham boxer said he would be dropping down a weight for his next outing into the super lightweight category.

He added: "Welterweight is packed at the moment with talented fighters and it would take ages to get a title shot if I was to stay there, so I'm coming down into the lightweight division.

"I was making welterweight very easily ahead of this last fight and eating up for it at times so I feel I can operate as a lightweight where I should have the power to do well.

"I just want to get as many opportunities to face as many different types of opponent as I can over the next year until I can get the title shot I want."

Ansell thanked his sponsors Food One Consultancy, BD Electrical Contractors, Hermit at Red Coats pub, Red Lift Hire, Nick Ansell PT, Simcotts Building Contractors, BTG Management and Top Guard UK for their help in his fight preparations.

And he also gave special thanks to Complete Physio and Fitness in Witham for their help in keeping him injury free during his ten-week training camp ahead of his latest fight.