BRAINTREE Boxing Club are once again celebrating success after light heavyweight Joe Bryant progressed all the way to the semi-finals of the National Championships.

The Braintree fighter claimed both the Essex and Eastern Counties titles along the way in a brilliant run of form that saw him dispatch some strong opponents.

In the pre-quarter-finals, Bryant was pitted against Joe Dennison of Banbury ABC and in a tough and technical bout, he was forced to use his jab and work up close.

Bryant's superior combinations ultimately enabled him to build a solid lead and led to him winning a dominant points decision and being crowned Essex Senior light heavyweight champion at just 19 years of age.

Having now gained momentum, Bryant progressed onto the National quarter-finals, where he was matched against tRiver Boam of Moneyfields Boxing Club.

In an eventful first round, Boam attempted to push Bryant back with controlled pressure, landing a solid left hook as Bryant was on the ropes.

However, this appeared to spur the Braintree boxer into action, as he replied with a crushing left hook of his own that visibly shook Boam and made his legs dip as he struggled to maintain his balance.

Boam spent the rest of the bout on the back foot, while Bryant demonstrated improved ring craft and was a clear winner at the final bell to be also crowned Eastern Counties champion.

Now in the final four in the country, Bryant faced the powerful Zoltan Csanadi of All Stars Boxing Club in the National semi-finals.

Csanadi is seven years older, weighed more, is undefeated and had more experience, but Bryant gave a remarkable performance for a young boxer and traded solid punches with his opponent for three hard rounds.

Bryant was the superior boxer in the fight, often out-jabbing the All Stars man and controlling the middle of the ring. However, Bryant received a hurtful head butt in the first round that damaged his eye and impacted on his vision.

Despite boxing very well throughout the bout, Bryant was out hustled overall by the bull-like Csanadi, losing on a close points decision at the end.

Although disappointed to miss out on the final, Bryant can be incredibly proud of his championship run and he is now the current Essex and Eastern Counties champions.

Coach Sean Magee said: "Everyone at Braintree Boxing Club is delighted at Joe's success and are proud to have him represent our club at such a high level."

Also in the championships, Braintree's Shane Pavitt competed in the Essex final against the much older Conor Mulvey of Chalvedon ABC.

In an absorbing contest, both produced a memorable bout, but although Pavitt demonstrated his full array of skills and toughness by forcing Mulvey to dig deep, his opponent's experience gained him a points verdict.