A POWERFUL performance helped Essex University's Dan Salmon book his place in the final of the Eastern Counties Boxing Development Championships.

The light welterweight beat St Ives' Steve Ball in his semi-final at Chadwell St Mary, to begin the boxing season with a bang.

Salmon has been working with Essex University coach Gordon Charlesworth, focusing on turning his shoulder and front foot into his left hooks to deliver more sharpness and power.

And what followed from the accounts teacher was a textbook hook showing.

From the bell, Ball took the centre throwing a left jab but Salmon moved to the side and exchanged one of his own.

Ball pushed forward but was stung by Salmon's left-right and a powerful left hook that saw him slump to the floor.

The St Ives boxer was tough and upon rising was counted out on his feet, unable to continue.

Essex University middleweight Lewis Richardson is back in action on Friday.

The England international returns to the fore when he travels to Ireland with coach Charlesworth to compete in the Celtic Boxcup.

The event, which takes place in Dungarven, will be contested over three days and gets underway on Friday.

It will be the first time Richardson has entered this competition and is confident and eager he can lift the title.

The 20-year-old's sparring and training has been solid and he has regularly travelled to London to spar with numerous professional and amateur boxers, who have tested him in the learning process.

Richardson is looking for big things this year and is hoping to achieve his Great Britain squad training call-up, in December.