COLCHESTER Amateur Boxing Club coach Casey Nachman believes they are going from strength to strength after hosting their latest show.

The club had 13 boxers in action, more than in any previous show hosted by the club.

Colchester ABC coach and competition secretary Casey Nachman said: “This is representative of how boxing is in the UK at the moment; the sport is enjoying a period of extreme popularity.

"We are working hard in our club to provide the best opportunities for young people who want to learn the sport and compete in safe competition.

"There is an incredible amount of talent in our gym at the moment and the gym is going from strength to strength.”

Joe Davies produced a quality performance in his first Colchester competitive bout against Northolt ABC's Harvey Brooker.

Davies won a unanimous decision, keeping Brooker at long distance with his jab and then using fast two-hand flurries whenever they came close.

Colchester's Blake Marshall showed some lovely boxing skills and defence but was unlucky to lose out in a close split decision against Northolt ABC's Bobby Julienne.

Charlie Jones started his first bout with an explosive burst against West Kingsdown ABC's Zak Rogers.

Jones claimed the decision after a thrilling hard-fought contest, despite Rogers winning the final round.

Colchester debutant Dan Richardson won his first bout against Eastbourne BC's Jake Wood.

Richardson’s sharp footwork and long-range counter punching against a taller opponent belied his experience and he secured a split decision.

James McLaren posted a determined performance against Owen Packer of Smokey’s Community Boxing Academy. McLaren conceded height, weight and experience to the Basildon boxer but advanced relentlessly and was unlucky to lost a controversial split decision.

Billie-Jai Day showed her class by outpointing national finalist Kamila Poskauskyte of Harrow and District ABC with a unanimous points decision.

Day started the contest with relaxed long range boxing but when Poskauskyte stepped up the pace, the Colchester boxer outworking her opponent in close quarters.

Morgan Bloomfield posted a commanding unanimous points win against Berinsfield ABC's Brandon May.

Bloomfield continually landed solid back-hands and two or three punch combinations forcing his opponent back to the ropes, before the referee issued a standing count in the final round.

Colchester debutant Kenny Burrows claimed a split decision win over Eastbourne BC's Daniel Wood.

Burrows started quickly but found that Wood was also willing to work hard for the win.

However, the Colchester boxer enjoyed some eye-catching single punches and sustained combinations, to secure a split decision win.

Colchester's Ben Lee faced a mammoth task against a more experienced, older and bigger Dylan Benford of Smokey’s Community Boxing Academy.

Lee displayed impressive front-foot boxing and real bravery as his aggression was matched by the bigger man.

But despite staying competitive until the final bell, a unanimous points decision was awarded Lee.

Colchester ABC's youngsters impressed in the no-decision skills contests that took place.

Ten-year-old Aaron Monks opened the show against Gateway ABC's Will Ling.

Monks conceded age, weight, height and experience to his opponent but battled hard with some excellent body-shots and combination punches.

Salis Hanrahan took on Hopey Price of Attleborough and jabbed well, impressing the crowd with some lovely controlled boxing.

Colchester's Charlie Lock took on Tommy Hill of Kent-based West Kingsdown BC and threw two handed flurries at close range.

And Stanley Walton demonstrated a tremendous display of back-foot boxing against Gateway ABC's Harrison Trotter.

Liam Beton of Colchester-based Centurions ABC beat Ipswich-based Patrick's BC James Smith in a hard-fought contest while Essex University BC's Reece Wade earned a points win against George Brown of Harrow and District ABC.

Colchester ABC have thanked all of the volunteers and sponsors who helped them run the home show and provide a great community club for young people.