DANNY Bharj says that he will be able to showcase more of his skills when he makes his second outing in the paid ranks in April.

The Swindon lightweight made his professional debut on Friday night on the World Awaits show at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

And the former Walcot and England amateur claimed a 59-56 success over Dean Evans.

The clash with the Hereford man was Bharj’s first contest in more than four years, and while there were times the 25-year-old looked stunning off the back foot, there were also signs of ring rust.

And when he steps out on Keith Mayo’s next show on April 18 at the GL1 Leisure Centre, Bharj is looking forward to showing even more.

“I’m boxing again in April and I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “I felt good on Friday, but I felt that I could box a lot better.

“That was my first fight in four years so it was about getting the ring rust off.”

Bharj’s professional debut came after a number of false dawns from the once-talented amateur.

Having made the decision to join the paid ranks four years ago, the former junior ABA champion decided to take a break from the sport.

Then last summer, Bharj looked set to finally get his career going when signalling his intentions to Mayo, however, it wasn’t until Friday that he stepped into the ring.

Prior to his break from boxing, Bharj won gold for his country at the Four Nations and Six Nations championships and was a former Walcot team-mate of both current stable-mate Ryan Martin and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie Cox.

“I had done a lot of sparring prior to this fight,” Bharj said. “But nothing is like getting in there and having a real fight.

“It is a lot different to amateurs, there are no vests, no headguards and smaller gloves.

“There was a lot to take in and get used to but, I felt like I handled it pretty well. It got tough but I stuck in there.

“The crowd were brilliant, they were amazing, they all come in their numbers.

“My family come up from London and Bedford to support me, I appreciate everyone who came to support – it was great.”