HEAVYWEIGHT boxer Billy Bessey has made a winning return after more than three years out of the ring.

The former ABA champion had sparred more than 100 rounds in preparation for his comeback clash with Gambia's Ebrima Secka in Bracknell and put that to good effect with an impressive one-sided points victory in Bracknell on Saturday night.

Bessey, 30, is based in Portsmouth but trained and managed by Southampton's Jack Bishop, who was delighted with his fighter's comeback.

He said: "He won every round and grew in confidence as the fight went on. He had him in some trouble in the third and fourth, but boxed sensibly considering he hadn't fought for so long."

Bessey was only beaten once in four fights when he previously boxed professionally between October 2000 and June 2001.

Bishop also this week secured a professional licence for Southampton's Merv Langdale, formerly an amateur with the Lawrence Boys' Club.

"The inspector of the board of control was delighted with his display in the test fight and only had to see one round to know he was ready," said Bishop.

"He is tall and fast and has a good variety of punch and should de very well."

Langdale, 27, is likely to start initially as a cruiserweight, but may grow to be a heavyweight.

Lordshill's Colin Kenna, meanwhile, is closing in on a return to the ring after having the first part of surgery on his injured elbow.

Kenna has already noticed an improvement in training and Bishop hopes he will be ready to return to the ring for a Guildhall show in the new year.