TOM Ansell's sights are firmly back on a potential title bout in 2020 after the Witham professional boxer got back to winning ways with a win against the experienced Jamie Speight at York Hall.

The 26-year-old personal fitness trainer, who works at Witham Leisure Centre, suffered a setback earlier in the year when he had a first defeat as a professional when he was beaten by Chris Adaway in a high-profile show at the Copper Box Arena at the Olympic Park in London.

However, he returned strongly in his next outing and got back to winning ways by being awarded a points victory at the end of his four-round welterweight contest against Speight and that has rejuvenated Ansell's push for a title shot in the next year.

He said: "It means I've been able to put that fight against Chris Adaway behind me now, however, I do really want a rematch against him and we're hoping to get that sorted for next year and I can then push on and hopefully fight for a title.

"That's what I want.

"I feel I'm in the place I want to be now and I'm looking to have another fight before the end of this year - in November or December - to set me up for a title next year.

"That's what I'm after, 100 per cent.

"I felt really good coming into the fight against Jamie Speight and I know that whoever I was put up against, I would have won.

"My mind was in the right place and that's massive so I'm now looking forward to getting back into training camp with the right mindset and pushing forward again."

Sussex fighter Carl Turney has been put forward as a possible opponent for Ansell in late November.

Whoever he faces, he will be looking to extend his professional record to eight wins after an impressive display against Speight, despite an unconventional build-up to the fight.

Ansell added: "It was a bit of a shock really as the day of the fight, my scheduled opponent had to pull out and at three o'clock, I didn't have anyone to fight.

"However, Jamie Speight was fortunately able to step in.

"He had been in training and was in reasonable shape so that was good. "It was a shock and not the best preparation for me, but Jamie is a former Southern Area champion and has fought for European titles so he is a good fighter and it was a good test for me. "It shows how much time and effort my coaching team put in that I was able to face and beat a fighter of that standard.

"I wanted to box a classy fight and that's what happened as I didn't really get hit.

"It was a good fight and an excellent way to get back to winning ways."