ESSEX University Boxing Club duo Lewis Richardson and Dan Azeez both lost out to the eventual title winners at the England Elite ABA Championships in Rotherham.

Middleweight Lewis Richardson lost out to current English champion Ben Whittaker in his semi-final, while light heavyweight Dan Azeez suffered a controversial quarter-final defeat against James Branch.

Richardson, the Essex and Eastern Counties champion, was defeated by England's number one middleweight Ben Whittaker.

The opening round was a tactical play discovering who would set the play in motion but neither boxer gave an inch.

Whittaker struck the first blow before Richardson responded with his own, before landing sharp back hand counters.

Nevertheless, Whittaker just edged the first round before Richardson responded well in the second round as his confidence started to grow.

He landed some sharp one-twos, sustained pressure and accurate punches to secure the round.

But Whittaker applied more pressure in the third round, stepping forward and backing Richardson up.

Richardson, 19, responded with his own punches but Whittaker's sustained push near the end secured the verdict.

Despite this though, this was a contest Richardson could - and should - have won.

Richardson had earlier beaten former ABA champion Kelvin Fawaz, in his quarter-final.

Fawaz had been knocking out all his opponents on his journey to the title and was a formidable opponent for Richardson to face.

Fawaz forced the early pace, throwing Richardson out of his stride and the pattern continued into the second.

But all of a sudden, Richardson found his feet with a peach of an uppercut that stopped Fawaz in his tracks.

That was the turning point for Richardson who confidence restored, set about showing his classy skills off with speed and accuracy.

Richardson refused to allow Fawaz the opportunity to impose himself after that, to claim a well-deserved victory.

Richardson's Essex University team-mate Azeez wanted the Championships to be his swansong before he turns professional later this year.

He moved into a slightly heavier category of 86 kilogrammes, where he felt he did not have to lose too much weight.

Azeez came up against Repton's former ABA junior and youth champion Branch and won the first round.

He produced strong left jabs through the middle of Branch's southpaw stance and set the pace with occasional right hands finding their target to both body and head.

It was a similar story in the second round, with Branch trying to land flurries but good defence and movement from Azeez offering him no success.

Branch knew he had to lift his game and land more punches in the third round but Azeez was comfortable in his shape.

Nevertheless, the Essex University boxer started to feel his heavier opponent's push and slipped back to the ropes instead of moving off.

However, his punches more than matched his taller foe so when a split verdict for the Repton boxer was announced, it was met with surprise and bemusement.

Branch went on to claim the title the following day but that was scant consolation for Azeez who felt hard done by the verdict.