BOURNEMOUTH boxer Jake Gosling targeted a future full-time ring career after overcoming big-night nerves to win his debut bout.

The 21-year-old claimed a convincing points victory over James Childs as he made his bow at Southampton Guildhall on Friday night.

Gosling, coached by ex-English middleweight king Steve Bendall, registered a 40-36 success over four rounds in his first contest in the paid ranks.

The middleweight, who went to school in Winton, had been working towards his maiden appearance during two years of training at Bendall’s gym.

Rookie Gosling, whose favourite fighter is British boxing legend Joe Calzaghe, told the Daily Echo: “It was nerve-racking to start with.

“I had never done anything like that before. I was nervous and thought I would get battered in front of everyone!

“But as soon as I had warmed-up and thrown the first few punches, I knew I was in there to do it. As soon as I had thrown the first few punches, the nerves went.”

Gosling is hoping to progress enough to one day make a living as a boxer. He told the Daily Echo: “That would definitely interest me.

“I have got a daughter so if I could box and train full-time and be a family man as well, that would be good.”

Bournemouth-based trainer Bendall was pleased with Gosling’s display and set his sights on an eventual bid for Southern Area honours.

The former British, European and Commonwealth title challenger said: “It was very good.

“He was a little bit apprehen sive as he had never been in that situation before. There were some flaws in his performance but that gives us something to work on.

“I put him in the situation of fighting to see what we needed to work on. Even though a lot of good came out of it, there are things to work on to get him where I need to.

“First and foremost, getting the win was important, and also making sure he could handle the situ ation of fighting in front of a crowd.

“The cuts man came up to me after the third round and said ‘this kid looks like he has had 20 fights’. You have got to expect him to make mistakes but, as a trainer, I was very pleased with it.”

On the same bill in front of around 1,000 spectators, Bournemouth’s Tommy Watson lost a 40-37 points verdict against Jerome Samuels.