SWANAGE boxer Sam Hamerston vowed to “push on with my career” after he triumphed following a two-year lay-off.

The 28-year-old overcame Fidel Asudi by unanimous decision in a cruiserweight bout over three rounds on the Queensbury Boxing League’s ‘True Grit’ show, held at the Effingham Park Hotel, Crawley.

And the Dorset puncher admitted his confidence improved throughout the bout.

He said: “I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform.

“Every round my confidence grew and I knew I was in control.

“I’m happy I got the win, now I want to get my head down, start to improve on my skills and push on with my career in boxing.”

Hamerston, a two-time Western Counties champion who competed for Poole ABC and Oakmead ABC, began the bout with a tight guard showcasing good footwork on the back foot.

He struggled to establish his range until the closing sequence of the first round when he forced through a right hand on the bell.

In the second round, Hamerston got behind a well-timed double jab and followed up with right crosses to force back his opponent.

Late in the round, he landed a well-executed check-hook to the chin of the Londoner.

Hamerston kept up the pressure in the third as he forced Asudi into the corner, landing big hooks to head and body.

His opponent survived the onslaught but Hamerston was declared a worthy points winner.

The Swanage ace’s father and trainer John insisted the best was yet to come from his son.

“Sam hasn’t boxed for many years and it is all right training in the gym and sparring, but when he got in there his timing was a bit out. It had been a long, long time,” the trainer said.

“If he was to fight again, or that was a six round fight, he would’ve pushed on. He would have shown his jab – another fight and you would see the best of him.”

Hamerston has spent his time out of the ring setting up an amateur boxing club in Swanage.

And the cruiserweight contender revealed he hoped to inspire the children he coaches by bringing home titles.

“The kids love every class and I believe me competing like I do inspires them massively,” he added.

“It gives them something to aim for. Hopefully I win a title and bring back the belt for them to see – I know that would make them smile.”