SWINDON’S Ben Fitch admitted he proved to himself he has what it takes to be a professional boxer during his convincing victory over Richard Thomas on Saturday night.

Fitch was out first on the KM Promotions show at the Oasis and, coming off a loss to Didier Blanch in his first professional outing in September, picked up his first victory as a pro by stopping the Yorkshireman in the second round.

Fitch dominated the fight to take the victory after a big right hand forced his opponent’s legs to buckle before he waded in to finish the contest, proving to himself he has what it takes to make it in the professional ranks.

“This was my second professional fight, having lost every single round according to the judge in my first fight, and I was really pleased with the way I came back,” he said.

“I thought I was playing to the crowd a little in the first one and gave myself something to prove, but I went in focussed because I had to prove to myself I was good enough to be a pro boxer.

“I listened to what my coach Rich (Farnan) had to say and he told me to use my jab more, and that’s what I did.

“I let my other shots go from my jab and I caught him with a right hand on his chin, saw his legs buckle, and then went in for the kill before the ref jumped in. I think I will be buzzing until Christmas.”

Fitch is hoping to fight again early next year but is also determined to take things slowly as he looks to build a career for himself.

“I’m going to keep ticking over with the training over Christmas before getting back into it properly in January and then fighting again in either February or March,” he said.

“I have to take each fight as it comes because I’m right at the start and still need to put in a lot of hard work before I can make a name for myself.”

Former Walcot amateur Fitch trains with fellow Swindonian Kelvin Young three times a day and was delighted to see his friend and training partner claim the IBO Intercontinental title in the show’s main event.

“I train with Kelvin three times a day, me Kelvin and Rich, and for both of us to get wins is amazing,” he said.

“When you have someone else win from your training camp it’s a great feeling and great for all of us.

“Kelvin really deserves it because he worked so hard.”