Dan Azeez says he owes everything to Essex University Boxing Club after making a winning start to his professional career.

The 27-year-old claimed victory on his professional light heavyweight debut after beating Bulgaria’s Daniel Borisov in four rounds at MTK London’s ‘Pride and Glory’ event at the Brentwood Centre.

The three-time South of England champion served his apprenticeship under the guidance of Essex University’s head coach Gordon Charlesworth, having taken part in 60 amateur bouts.

And after chalking up his maiden professional victory, Azeez says he has a debt of gratitude to the Colchester-based boxing club.

Azeez told the Daily Gazette: “I owe Essex University Boxing Club everything.

“Gordon has been with me through thick and thin and has always believed in me - he’s believed in me more than myself!

“Essex University will always be a big part of my personality as a boxer.

“I started boxing at university and it’s been a gradual step up from novice, to elite to amateur and now professional.

“I remember having exams the day before or after a bout and I’d train two or three times a day but now all of the hard graft is coming to fruition.

“Gordon was there to watch me at the Brentwood Centre – he’s part of the team and I’ll continue to come up to Colchester and work on bits and pieces with him.”

Azeez dominated his four-rounder against Borisov, rocking him with a right hand during the second round.

The Bulgarian was deducted a point and went down twice, before Azeez was awarded a 40-33 points victory.

“I was happy with my performance,” said Azeez, who regularly spars with Team GB Rio Olympian Lawrence Okolie.

“He was a tough and durable man and I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t a knockout win but it’s all about the W – I got the win.

“It’s about learning and it will stand me in good stead.

“It felt great to be out there in my professional bout and in some ways, it felt like my first-ever fight all over again.

“It was great to be a part of something so big.

“I was out just before David Price who is a former British and Commonwealth champion, which was a privilege and I was so happy to be on the bill.

“I had a lot of people there supporting me, friends and family.

“After 60 amateur bouts and national tournaments, this is what it all comes down to.”

Azeez is now looking ahead to a busy 2018 schedule, where he will be hoping to build on his promising professional debut.

He added: “MTK want me to fight a lot next year.

“We’re planning for another fight in February and that’s something to work towards now.”