Alex Bellingham got his Queensbury Boxing League career off to a winning start last weekend despite being thrown a late change of opponent.

The 22-year-old from Orpington was scheduled to meet Pole Kasper Dudzinski on his debut in the televised boxing series, but the Pole withdrew on the morning of the event citing a damaged hand.

However, Bellingham would not to be denied his big night after London prospect Jerome Prince stepped up to the plate.

“I’d been preparing for Dudzinski and had his face in my sights all through training, and when I found out he wasn’t coming it did throw me a bit.

“Prince was an unknown and also a southpaw, which again was not something I’d prepared for, but at the end of the day he’s got two arms and two legs and he was there to fight and he was a really good boxer.”

Bellingham emerged from the contest with a unanimous points win much to the delight of his team from the Keddles Gym in St Mary Cray, and his army of travelling fans there to watch their hero perform, but after watching the action back Bellingham believes there are still plenty of things for him to improve on.

“I watched the fight back and if I’m honest I’d give myself a six out of 10 for that fight,” he said.

“The first round I boxed badly and then it got better in the second, and the third round definitely being my best.

“It was an amazing show and I loved all the showbiz and entertainment that came with it, but I’m going to have a short holiday now and then I’m going to be straight back in the gym working towards the next one in September.”

Bellingham has already been confirmed to box on September 24 when the season continues at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey.