A Bicester boxer has celebrated his first professional victory in the ring.

Brad Axe, at 27, stepped out in Essex to beat Slovakian Edgar Kemsky 40-36, in what he described as a "fantastic start to my professional career, a dramatic night I have been dreaming of but also working towards for the last ten years which demonstrated my fighting potential.'

Axe trains under Carl Ellis at Bicester’s Ellis's Boxing Gym.

Commenting on the victory, Mr Ellis said: "I haven’t been training Brad for even a year yet and he’s made an outstanding professional boxing debut, remaining compact, composed and disciplined against a tricky late change opponent determined to cause an upset.

"Brad should be boxing again later in the summer and will hopefully chalk up three victories by year end positioning him as a contender for area and even English boxing titles next year."

Having begun his boxing career at Yeovil ABC, the RAF firefighting instructor, based at Moreton-in-Marsh, is no novice to the ring.

He proudly carries a distinguished record of 53 amateur fights.

With his sights set on more than just another win, Axe shared his aspirations saying: "I’m looking to climb the middleweight division ladder quickly and I’m grateful for unbelievable support from ‘The Axe Gang’ who accompanied me to Brentwood.

"One day I know that many will make the journey to a major venue to see me fight in a gruelling twelve round battle.

"The ultimate destination all boxers crave."