SEDGEFIELD’S Bradley Saunders’ Matchroom debut did not go entirely to plan but he still extended a flawless start to his professional career in the ring.

Saunders was taken the distance for only the third time since turning his back on the amateur ranks on Saturday night but still claimed his 11th straight win against 22-year-old Hungarian Ivans Levickis.

Referee John Latham scored the six-round contest 60-54 in favour of the County Durham fighter at Liverpool’s Echo Arena and that left him slightly frustrated.

Saunders, the light-welterweight, said: “To be fair, I’m always looking for the stoppage but I’ve only really been in the gym the last few weeks. He was tough and he could punch.”

But Saunders’ new promoter, Eddie Hearn, was pleased with his start under his watch.

Hearn, who has February earmarked for Saunders’ next outing, said: “It was short notice and that was his first fight in almost six months, so we have to be happy with how things have gone.”

Tony Bellew paid tribute to bitter rival Nathan Cleverly after gaining revenge with a majority points win in their cruiserweight fight.

Three years after dropping an equally tight decision in a bid for Cleverly's WBO light-heavyweight title, the home favourite outworked the Welshman over the final rounds to gain the verdict 116-112 and 115-113 on two judges' cards, with a third voting 115-114 to Cleverly.

Bellew, who moved into world cruiserweight title contention in the process, revealed there was still no love lost between the pair after an acrimonious build-up to the bout.

He said: "I don't like him but I respect him and I've over-worked a great athlete over 12 rounds He's not a cruiserweight but I proved I'm a cruiserweight tonight and I'll go on and fight anywhere. I want to get that world title belt round my waist."

Anthony Joshua is set for a significant step up in class after taking just one minute and 26 seconds to dispatch veteran Michael Sprott.

The Olympic champion caught Sprott with a series of 17 unanswered blows to prompt the intevention of referee Terry O'Connor and earn his 10th professional win.

Promoter Hearn said the heavyweight's next outing would be against experienced American Kevin Johnson in London in January.