BERE Alston boxer Des Newton has won his first professional fight after only taking to boxing two and a half years ago as an amateur.

On June 10 Des, nicknamed ‘The Destroyer’ entered the ring in his first professional contest at the Grange Leisure Centre in Swindon against journeyman Qasim Hussain.

He won a national title in his first year as an amateur and picking up a silver medal in the Haringey Boxing Cup in London, Des was chosen to represent the England select squad, where he fought in Tenerife, a tough bout against Selen Agundi. This bout was his last as an amateur.

Putting on the gloves for the first time as a pro Des, who trains at the Plympton Amateur Boxing Club, was cheered on by many supporters from West Devon, who had who made the 320 mile round trip to watch him start a new chapter to his boxing career. He was on the undercard of a WBC silver females middleweight title fight.

Hussain was an experienced fighter with 64 paid contests under his belt and had lost all but five of those bouts; although his record suggested an easy nights work for Newton, he had only ever been stopped once in all those bouts and is a tough, durable and clever fighter.

The first bell sounded and the two fighters met in the centre of the ring; straight from the off Newton used his jab to great effect to keep the fight at long range, occasionally targeting the body and switching from head to body throughout.

Round two was much the same. The Bere Alston boxer took the first and second rounds, targeting the body - part of what he had been working on in the gym with trainers Barry Dann and Jim Davison.

The third round bell sounded and again Newton came out completely dictating the pace and keeping his jab together; mid way through the round Des caught Hussain with a body punch, winding him.

In the fourth and final round Newton was completely in control and ahead on the judges scorecard.

Newton caught then Hussain and the fight came to an end with Newton awarded the fight 40-36, winning every round unanimously.

Des thanked all the travelling supporters who came and his sponsors who helped him. His next bout is on Saturday, July 30 in Plymouth Guildhall. Des says he wants to use his status to inspire younger peers to stay out of trouble and get into boxing.