Billy Bird says Friday night’s victory over Antonio Petrov could not have gone much better, after the Sudbury middleweight secured another impressive points victory at The Halls, Norwich.

The 22-year-old took his record to 13 wins from 14 fights with victory against the Bulgarian, and now looks set for a Southern Area title fight in the summer, at light-middlewight, subject to ratification from the BBBoC (British Boxing Board of Control).

“I won every round comfortably and I knew as soon as the final bell went that I had won the fight,” said Bird, who has earmarked Braintree as a potential venue for a summer showdown.

“I nearly had him (Petrov) out in the first round, and had there been another 20 seconds I think I would.

“But he was experienced and taking shots very cleanly and knew how to hold on.”

Bird is building up an impressive record in the ring, his only setback having come in a points defeat to Mike Byles last June, but he believes that loss has been a crucial part of the learning curve he is on.

“I had that setback (defeat) and it put me back a bit in terms of where I should have been. I maybe should have been fighting for a Southern Area title this time,” added Bird, who has already won the British Masters Bronze Light Middleweight title in his short career.

“But I believe that things happen for a reason and I needed that kick up the backside at that stage of my career.

“You learn a lot more from defeats than wins although everyone wants a clean record.

“I feel I am ready to take the next step now, I am putting together a good record and I ready for the bigger fights.

“I am taking a week out now but still ticking over and once something is announced about my next fight, I will go on a training programme in Spain and get ready for it.”