YORK boxer Rob Magill kicked off his professional career with a dominant victory over Dale Arrowsmith.

Magill won all four of the contested rounds to take a 40-36 points decision in one of the first small-hall boxing shows to run after the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The bill was held at the Sheffield Arena Car Park with spectators permitted to watch inside the venue and an audience watching on for the first time on the new FightZone streaming platform.

It was also Magill’s first time in the ring as a professional, having had a successful career in the amateurs, under the tutelage of York boxing legend Henry Wharton, winning three Yorkshire titles.

And he looked like no stranger to the paid ranks in the early stages against the veteran Arrowsmith, beginning the fight aggressively on the front foot.

He began by firing shots crisply to the body, a strategy that he would follow throughout the course of the bout.

Magill fell just short with a reaching right hand that looked to have some weight behind it and towards the end of the round he started to let his hands go with some success.

The 29-year-old remained focused on his body work in the face of Arrowsmith’s sound defence guard and ability to evade head shots.

In a quieter round, Magill ensured that he did not over commit himself and also had one eye on the conditions in the ring.

Magill had several partial slips amid the wet weather outside of the ring, a factor which seemed to limit his footwork and ability to effectively cut off the ring against Arrowsmith’s movement.

The York fighter kept up controlled and sustained attacks to the body in the third and was more economical with his punch output, given the conditions.

A cross left hand in that stanza drew an appreciative nod of the head from Arrowsmith as Magill forced the issue.

The experience of Arrowsmith, this his 44th professional fight, was showing towards the back end of the fight and he attacked with more purpose in the last.

But Magill’s defensive head movement was fairly sound to the response and he came back with some more stinging shots to Arrowsmith’s mid-section.

Arrowsmith tied up Magill early in the round and looked set for a safe passage to the final bell, however Magill had other ideas.

Some of Magill’s better work in the fight came in the fight’s final minute with Magill unleashing a sweet counter left hook off the ropes, which drew a wry smile from Arrowsmith.

A similar shot followed a few seconds later which again drew an Arrowsmith grin and plenty of noise from Magill’s travelling support.

“As debuts go, I couldn’t ask for much better. To be on a great show like that one, on TV, it’s exactly what debuts are made for, so I’m really happy,” Magill told FightZone afterwards.

“For my debut I think I did okay. I kept cool in the conditions and against a tough fighter in Dale. I was just trying to be patient and showcase what I’m all about.

“He was constantly making me think on my feet when I was coming forward. He lures you in to little shots where you can get caught.

“I really enjoyed it and I’ve got plenty of experience from it.”

Magill went on to reaffirm his intention to have two more four-round fights and a six-round fight before the end of the year.