COLCHESTER boxer Lewis Richardson boosted his hopes of National Championship glory after winning his Eastern Counties middleweight final.

The Essex University Boxing Club member saw off Norwich's Dan Gibson in Harlow to secure his fourth win, in 2017.

Richardson, 19, stopped Gibson in the third round as he continued to establish himself as one of the country’s leading young boxers.

He said: “This was another important result for me and I’m delighted with the way the year is going for me so far.

“I was delighted to win inside the distance and all in all my confidence for my national championships campaign is growing all the time, though I know I still have lots of hard work still to do.”

Richardson acknowledges he is sometimes too cautious at the start of the contest while he tries to work his opponent out and this contest against Gibson was no exception.

But towards the end of the opening round, the England international began to impose his authority.

The second round saw him quickly establish himself as he connected with a hard-left uppercut through the middle, followed by a solid right hook to his opponent’s head.

This caused the Norwich boxer problems but he came out for round three determined to make his own mark.

However, Richardson's nifty footwork and quick fast combinations swiftly dealt with any potential threat, allowing him to back his opponent to the ropes, where he unleashed a solid left and right hook to the body.

Gibson was struggling to cope and after a powerful left uppercut which darted through the middle, the referee steeped in to give the Norwich boxer a count. It was clear that Gibson was in no fit state to continue as acknowledged by his corner, who threw in the towel to save their boxer from further punishment.

Richardson added: “This was a good win and I was pleased with the way I dealt with any potential difficulties and with how I imposed my authority.”