MUDEFORD fighter Tommy Watson allowed himself only one week to bask in the glow of his points victory over Matthew Ashmole before returning to the grind.

The 29-year-old overwhelmed Welshman Ashmole across four one-sided rounds at Bournemouth's O2 Academy on the first day of the month.

Watson's victory represented the latest chapter in a comeback story that increasingly appears bound for a happy ending.

His ruthless dismantling of Ashmole was Watson's third such success since returning from a three-year ring absence in September.

He rated this latest win the best of the lot – and admitted it was a relief to box back in his natural welterweight division after jumping up to super middleweight for a bout three months ago.

Watson told the Daily Echo: "The fight went really well. It could have gone better – I could have stopped him – but I was extremely happy with it.

"I controlled it all the way through. I felt far better and stronger than I did in my previous fight – I was faster and my reactions were much quicker.

"I have not been in better shape since I got back in the ring."

There was a single source of frustration for Watson on an otherwise triumphant night – and it went some way to explaining why he was back in the gym with trainer and dad Alan on Monday.

Unable to secure an opponent for a six-round duel, Watson had to make do with a reduced-length fight against Ashmole.

He is determined to sample a six-round battle before he climbs through the ropes for a tilt at a British Challenge Belt, contested across eight rounds.

And in keeping with his yearning to fight for titles, Watson is slated to be lacing his gloves back up as soon as September 16.

Consequently, he has shelved any plans he had to get his feet up after dispatching Ashmole.

"Getting the four rounds in my legs was valuable but my next fight will definitely be a six-rounder," said Watson.

"That will now be my warm up for a British Challenge fight. I want to do things properly and take each step at a time.

"Before the fight, I felt I would need a break. But once it was finished, I really wanted to get back in the gym.

"I hope to have the British Challenge fight before Christmas but, if not, it will be early in 2018."

Watson was not the only hometown boy to prosper on a rumbustious night at the O2.

The Bournemouth trio of middleweight Matty Legg, unbeaten super middleweight Jake Gosling and Sam Jones, the super lightweight in his fifth professional contest, all won their fights.

"It was a positive night for all the local lads and a brilliant atmosphere," added Watson.

"There was a great noise when I came out to box, I had a good crowd of people there.

"Boxing is getting more and more popular and really starting to take off in Bournemouth."