TWO Contender Gym fighters are celebrating their first professional victories after shining in Bristol this evening.

Lightweight Ryan Wheeler and light-middleweight Liam Hodson both racked up their first wins in the paid ranks after impressive performances at the Action Indoor Sports Centre.

Frome fighter Wheeler had the canvas rocking midway through the first round as he sent his opposite number – Swindon journeyman Joe Beeden - sprawling to the floor with a punishing hook.

The Contender youngster, who drew on his pro debut at the same venue last year, dominated throughout as he stalked his Swindon opponent around the ring with ruthless authority, eventually taking a thumping 40-35 decision from referee Martin Williams.

Earlier, Hodson opened up the evening’s action as he claimed a confident victory on his pro debut against Derbyshire southpaw Luke Brassfield.

The light-middleweight, from Bradford on Avon, exploded out of the blocks and had his opponent under the cosh from the off with an aggressive high-intensity display.

Brassfield slipped twice in the fourth and final round as Hodson had him out on his feet, and the Contender man kept the heat on to get his professional record off to a winning start, taking a 40-37 decision from referee Reece Carter.