’Magic’ Mathew Rennie made an impressive start to this professional boxing career on Friday evening, winning his debut contest with Gary McGuire on points.

The 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist won the four-round welterweight bout at the Liverpool Olympia 40-35.

Speaking after the fight, the 20-year-old former Ballakermeen student said: ’My coach gave me some instructions to follow and I followed them well.

’We struggled to find out much about my opponent prior to the fight other than he’d last fought about three years ago.

’Prior to that though he’d won the Scottish Championships.

’Because of the latter information I brought my A game and I felt comfortable and I felt good.’

Rennie showed some of the style and panache that had been evident in his amateur days during the victory. He added: ’I feel like sometimes it comes across that I’ve got an arrogant style, but it’s just the way I perform.

’I’m not trying to disrespect anyone by the way I box, just sometimes I like to box with my hands down as it helps my flow.’

More than 90 made the trip from the Isle of Man to support the Manx ABC man in his first pro fight and Rennie was quick to pay tribute to the travelling support.

’I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came over to watch.

’It’s not cheap to make the trip especially with Christmas coming up, so I can’t thank them enough.’

VIP Promotions-managed Rennie, who is based full-time in Liverpool, hopes to be back in the ring in early March.