Andre Lambe took a major step in his burgeoning professional career after being crowned the American Boxing Federation welterweight champion on Saturday night.

The preparations for his first title shot at the Epic Entertainment Fight Night Champion card at The Shed, in Dockyard, proved far from ideal after intended opponent Paul Ispas was replaced by a familiar foe in Jose Ceja, who Lambe stopped inside three rounds in January.

While that first encounter may have been routine, Lambe was made to work harder in the rematch after being taken the distance for the first time among the paid ranks.

Bloodied and bruised, Ceja valiantly refused to succumb to the brutal punishment inflicted on him throughout the six-round bout but Lambe was deservedly awarded the fight and vacant belt, with all three judges scoring the bout 60-52 in his favour.

While the latest notch to his flawless record may have lacked the showstopping climax he and his fans have come to expect, Lambe reflected on the greater significance of the milestone win.

“I’m happy that I got the job done and won this first title,” he said. “Now it’s all about keep pushing and getting to those next levels

“The late change did affect me a little because I’ve been preparing all camp for a different guy and then it changes two days before the fight.

“On top of that it was against someone who was one of my toughest previous fights and so I knew it was going to be tough.

“He just kept coming forward and what made it worse was in the third round I hurt my left hand, so I couldn’t really throw it as I would have liked. I had to take it back to basics and keep things simple.

“Sometimes you can get a little overexcited when an opponent is trying to bait you like that but I kept it cool and collected and finished the fight.

“We’ve got some other belts that we are able to look at now so I’ll be having a sit down with the promoters to see what’s next. One thing I know for sure is that I’m definitely going to keep pushing forward.”

Just as in their previous fight, Ceja looked to engage from the outset but found himself walking on to a flurry of combinations throughout the opening round as Lambe dictated the early exchanges.

A probing left jab and thunderous right hook combination at the start of the second round left Ceja visibly shaken, with another clean right sending the Mexican stumbling to his knees and the recipient of a standing eight count.

Having bounced back to his feet, Ceja walked on to another left hook on the bell before turning and smiling at Lambe as he walked back to his corner.

Despite pleas from his corner, the Mexican continued to drop his hands in an attempt to bait Lambe, with the Bermudian more than happy to oblige, picking his moments to connect with stinging shots.

Refusing to be cautious, Ceja was sent to the canvas for the second time at the start of the fourth round, caught flush by another right hook. However, just as he had in the second, he got straight back to his feet.

After an accidental clash of heads at the end of the round, blood began to pour from Ceja’s left eye but undeterred and with a smirk plastered wide across his bloodied face, he again engaged with Lambe, who responded with a stinging left to the body and strong right to the head in a further attempt to finally halt his opponent.

The onslaught continued into the final round as Lambe took the opportunity to play up to his adoring crowd, dancing around the ring and unleashing blistering combinations at regular intervals.

Despite this Ceja continued to press, refusing to back down and trading shots late into the round, forcing Lambe to go the distance for the first time, but the result was never in doubt as Lambe held aloft his prized first professional belt.