CHARD boxer Paul Roberts made a successful start to his professional career with a unanimous points victory over Ricky Leach on Saturday.

Fighting at London’s prestigious York Hall and backed by around 100 supporters - the majority of whom had travelled from Chard - Roberts was dominant from the outset and won every round on his way to victory.

Reflecting on his memorable debut, he said: “It went really well - I felt comfortable and put in a good performance.

“I got a lot of praise from the current and former professionals in the crowd, which was nice, and overall it was a great way to start.”

Roberts was also delighted to have already experienced one of British boxing’s most renowned venues at this early stage of his journey.

“York Hall was an amazing place to have my first fight and there was a brilliant atmosphere - it was full up and I loved having so many people there supporting me,” he said.

“I saw it as a bit of a stepping stone, as coming into the professional game as a prospect sometimes your first opponents aren’t that much more difficult than those you have been fighting at amateur level.”

“I did what I had to do with a good display and now look forward to the tougher tests ahead.”

Roberts is now hoping for another spot at York Hall in November or December before staging a more local fight in the new year.