RICHIE Gray enjoyed a professional debut to remember – beating Terry George inside the first round.

The 26-year-old, from Basildon, impressed when fighting in the amateur ranks.

And he was thrilled to follow that up with another victory at York Hall.

“It was fantastic to start off with a win,” said Gray.

“It was my first professional win and to win by TKO inside the first round was perfect.

“I had brilliant support on the night and we’re already looking to secure a second fight which would be at the start of June.”

Gray was Essex and Eastern County Novice Champion three years in a row as an amateur, fighting for both Berry Boys and Chalvedon ABC.

But it was only after finding himself a new base that he decided to take his fighting more seriously.

“Last year most of my pals my age had left the club I was at for whatever reason and I went travelling,” explained Gray.

“When I come back it didn’t feel the same anymore so I had a go at the unlicensed fights to see what the dark side of boxing was like.

“I only had the one fight for the EBA and I boxed for the title which I won by a second round TKO. But I still felt a bit lost like I didn’t really have a team.

“After that, I had a bit of a look around see what was happening and came across Alec Wilkey, my now pro coach. Team Wilkey is a great group and it wasn’t until I realised I had fantastic support and belief of people around me that I actually decided to fully commit and see where I could go with it.”

That led to Gray’s debut this month and saw him fulfil a lifelong ambition.

“I’ve always dreamed of fighting professionally like any young boxer but it’s not straight forward,” said Gray.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without my sponsors, two of which have done more than I could dream of.

“CLM Floors and Advance FM have really given me an opportunity, paying me to train and supplying me with all the equipment I need so I can fully commit my time to training and not work.

“I’ve also had helped from Basset and Hair tattoo, Graysteel and Value Cars who also have helped make life easier.

“I really appreciate their help and hope to be able to go on from here now. Realistically I would like to win an area title but if I won an English title I would feel like a world champion!”