Two boxers trained by Mike Gibbons at City of Hull Boxing Club have won their professional debut contests at a show in Beverley organised by Dennis Hobson Promotions. Both super welterweight Liam MacMillan and super lightweight Harry Edgecumbe scored full points in their respective four round defeats of Blackburn’s Naeem Ali and Worcester’s Michael Mooney.

MacMillan, 27, was pleased that "the debut fight went well", adding: "I felt comfortable in there and caught Ali flush, so I knew I had the power to trouble him. However, I’ll improve next time as I got caught by some avoidable shots and waited around too long. I’m hoping to be in the ring in September with an improved performance and I’d like two more bouts this year."

MacMillan’s brothers had boxed when younger, but he admits: "I wasn’t interested and only started training properly at fifteen. I had 28 amateur bouts with the highlight being my victory over a tough local lad while boxing for Yorkshire in Spain and at one point being the second-best amateur in Yorkshire for my weight. I’ve now signed a professional contract with Glenn Banks. I just thought it was time to get stuck in."

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Edgecumbe, 24, was also delighted at his win stating: "It went well as I won every round. I can get back in the gym and aim to perfect a few things but overall, I smashed it. I also hope to be boxing again in the early autumn. I came to the paid ranks with a fifty-fifty record of 24 amateur matches having started boxing at sixteen when a friend got me involved. I’ve signed with Niall Almond. I feel like it’s my time now. I found it hard to get where I am today, but hard work got me here. A long journey but here we are."

Former Sirius Academy North student Edgecumbe lives with his mother in Orchard Park. He said: "I enjoy socialising with friends. I love watching Ukrainian boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko as his style is incredible and I’d be proud to box like him one day."

MacMillan lives in west Hull and works as a flexographic plate finisher at SGS Europe. He said: "I enjoy playing football in a charity league for Matts Legends raising money for great charities. I admire American André Ward. An excellent undefeated boxer and knockout expert and the best pound for pound in my opinion."

Coach Gibbons is enthusiastic about each boxer’s performance, saying: "Makka, that’s Liam, impressed with his very professional display. He hurt his opponent early with a back hand and later with an uppercut and back hand again. This was a mature performance for a debutant. Harry did what was needed and wasn’t affected by being lighter than his opponent. Harry boxed textbook. Both had quality fights and well deserved shut out wins."

All elite athletes require sponsorship. "I’m grateful to Holmes Hall’s Processors, City Pro Gym, Orchard Nutrition Club and O.K.B Design", said Edgecumbe and potential new sponsors can email to harryedgecumbe123@gmail.com or message on Facebook at Harry Edgecumbe Nfb. Macmillan appreciates "the generosity of Prodigs Hull Ltd., Archer K9, Tiger Sports, Orchard Nutrition Club and Clarkson Services Ltd. Any others wanting to help should contact me by e-mail at liammacca96@gmail.com"