HIS first meeting with a Southpaw opponent proved another successful experience for Witham boxer Tom Ansell as he took his professional record to five wins from five bouts at the Tottenham Green Pools and Fitness.

Ansell beat Lee Hallett 60-54 on points in the super lightweight contest as he stepped up to have his first-ever six-round bout as a professional and he was pleased that his fitness levels stood up to the task of the longer fight as the Witham man continued progressing towards a potential title fight.

The 25-year-old said: "It was a step up for me as it was a test of my fitness, but I felt so strong out there that I could have gone ten or 12 rounds in the end.

"I'm the fittest and strongest that I have ever been and that allowed me to control the tempo of the fight easily.

"My strength and conditioning coach has got me in very good shape.

"After the fight, I'm now ranked in the top 50 in the UK in the super lightweight division as this win has moved me up more than 20 places and I'm hoping to have a title fight or an eliminator in the pipeline, but I think I'll have a couple more fights before that."

Ansell said he was hoping to be back in the ring before Christmas, but may have to wait until the new year for his next bout and would be working hard in the gym ahead of that.

The win against Hallett was convincing for the Witham man, but he admitted that he had to adjust to fighting a Southpaw boxer - a right-handed fighter who leads with their right hand rather than the orthodox left lead - for the first time.

Ansell added: "It was a good win for me as he was a very awkward fighter.

"When my coach found out that I'd be facing a Southpaw, he got me a few in to spar against, but it was my first time up against one in competition and I felt I did quite well.

"I didn't get hit and although I didn't drop him as I wanted, I controlled the fight."

Ansell thanked sponsors Sporting Icon, 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.

He also gave special thanks to Complete Physio and Fitness in Witham.