ESSEX University Boxing Club's Lewis Richardson displayed the class of a champion after booking his place in the National Amateur Boxing Championship (NABC) quarter-finals.

The talented 20-year-old comprehensively defeated Moulsecoomb Amateur Boxing Club's Liam Forrest in the regional round to make progress, at Dagenham Roundhouse.

There was no evidence of the two boxers feeling each other out in the first round, with Forrest taking the action straight from the bell.

However, he was met with a sharp right left from the southpaw Richardson.

Told to keep the pressure on from his corner, Forrest stayed in Richardson's space and was then picked off with consummate ease.

The England international used both hands to jab and hit with the back hand, before turning and moving.

This was a pattern followed throughout the three rounds and Richardson put together five and six punch combinations, at times.

It was a very good display of boxing from an ambitious Richardson, who has already won the Celtic Box Cup and Eindhoven Box Cup competitions this season.

Reese Wade made his Essex University debut at the same event, against Mark Parrott from the Sporting Ring gym.

The 18-year-old welterweight Reese Wade, taking part in his first bout for the club since enrolling at the university as a student, is formerly of Lowestoft BC in Suffolk.

Wade, boxing at 69 kilogrammes for the first time, encountered a tough first bout for his next club.

He showed he has the skill set and determination to be a success but was on the wrong end of a narrow 3-2 verdict.

From the first round, Wade showed his potential with a strong left right that landed well.

But Parrott responded with his own shots, to make it an even first round.

Wade appeared to take the second round with his higher work rate and more accurate punching and it promised a good last round.

With both boxers showing signs of tiredness, it was going to go down to the wire.

It appeared that the more accurate punches were coming from the Essex University student so there was a visible showing of disappointment when the verdict was announced in favour of Parrott.