HARWICH Boxing Club welterweight Kilian Hardy faced a gruelling schedule if he was to make progress in the National Development Championships, with two contests in less than 24 hours.
Friday's task saw him box Santiago Weaver, of Attleborough ABC, in a marquee on the Essex County Cricket Club outfield in Chelmsford.
Hardy just edged the first round, with good shot selection.
A change of tactics in the second and third rounds saw him push Weaver backwards with aggressive combinations to close the contest in full control.
A 5-0 unanimous points decision would be his reward, being crowned Eastern Counties champion at the same time.
The following morning, 19-year-old Hardy made the trip to the army combat centre in Aldershot, where he would face army champion Calum Spence in another three by three-minute round contest at the national pre-quarter final stage.
After a tight opener, Hardy picked up the pace and grew in confidence as his higher punch rate again saw him home on another 5-0 unanimous points decision.
The travel demands, weight-making pressures and competing in the ring at a high level within 16 hours of each contest combined to make Hardy's achievements even more impressive.
His busy period continues on Saturday as he boxes in Bristol in the national quarter-finals.
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