A FORMER Bury ABC star is looking ahead to a bright 2020 after a successful professional debut.

Ibrahim Nadim, a senior national amateur champion under Bury coach Mick Jelley, was a points victor over the experienced Misael Zeledon at the iconic York Hall in Bethnal Green.

With Manchester fight great Ricky Hatton in his corner, the 20-year-old super-bantamweight went toe-to-toe with the Nicaraguan in the opening stages before settling into his boxing to win every one of the four rounds on referee Chas Coakley’s scorecard for a 40-36 victory.

On the undercard of Richard Riakporhe and Jack Massey’s fight for the British cruiserweight title, Nadim had hoped to be part of the live broadcast on Sky Sports.

With other fights going the distance ‘Ibby’ was made to wait his turn but didn’t disappoint those who had travelled to the capital to support him.

“It was amazing to box at the York Hall on a Matchroom show in my pro debut,” Nadim, from Keighley, said.

“This guy was tough and I learned a lot from the fight.

“In the first I was trading but with somebody like Zeledon I realise you need to wear them down.

“I listened to Ricky and once I started picking my punches I had more success. There is lots to work on but I am happy with my performance for my debut as a pro.”

Hatton was full of praise for his charge, who he has been putting through his paces at his gym in Hyde.

“Ibby did really well for his debut,” he said.

“He was gloved up for a long time and I think he wanted to get his opponent out in the first round.

“He’s learned a lot from this fight and and there is plenty we can work on.

“Once he listened he looked great. It’s his pro debut so it’s to be expected he wanted to knock his opponent out. You don’t knock a tree down with one chop, you chip away and then it goes.”

Now the plan is for Nadim to stay active and hopefully fight a little closer to home early in the new year.

“Matchroom have shows planned for the North West and we hope to have Ibby on one of those shows,” said manager Paul Speak.