HARWICH Boxing Club had a very busy but successful weekend.

The action started when they promoted a tournament at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Leading the way was 16-year-old Kasey Bradnum, who contested an under-64kg Essex youth final against Billy Joe Foster, from Holland Park Amateur Boxing Club.

The pair competed over three three-minute rounds.

Bradnum had enjoyed a previous victory against his opponent.

However, Foster was first out the blocks as he dominated the opening session with his long left lead, racking up the points.

Not to be outdone, Bradnum raised his game in the second, scoring well with shots to both head and body.

With everything resting on the outcome of the final round, it was the Harwich youngster who eventually gained the title after being awarded a split points decision by the judges after taking part in the bout of the night.

Bradnum’s super effort justifiably also saw him also take the best home boxer award.

Fast-forward 24 hours and Bradnum make the trip to Sudbury, to contest the Eastern Counties final against the host club’s Jake Sumner.

Bradnum shaded the first round but then went into overdrive in the second, forcing the pace – much to Sumner’s discomfort.

To his credit, the Suffolk boxer fought back well in the last round as Bradnum’s endeavours over the last two days began to catch up with him.

However, Bradnum dug in and went on to take the title with a hard-earned, unanimous points decision.

These two wins now propel Bradnum into the National Championship quarter-finals in County Durham, later in the month.

Returning to the tournament at Colchester, 14-year-old Frazer Mann warmed up for his forthcoming National Junior Championships challenge by taking on Lincoln puncher Frederick Hardy.

Mann set a frenetic pace throughout the contest to score his second unanimous points victory at this venue within the last four months.

Lightweight Tommie Smith tasted his first senior action after moving up from the junior ranks, against soldier Aaron Langley, from the Three Parachute Battalion.

Southpaw Langley took the first round but 18-year-old Smith took the final two with his finishing hooks the telling difference on his way to a unanimous points victory.

Debutant Jimmy Preston, 17, took on the more experienced Steve Taylor, from Centurions Amateur Boxing Club. The pair met over three entertaining rounds.

Preston’s determination to succeed shone through as he did not allow his opponent to settle into any form of rhythm.

A series of neat combination punches placed the new boy in the driving seat on his way to a unanimous points win.

Schoolboy brothers Reece and Bailey Brundle had tough bouts against Callum Angel Taylor, from Islington Amateur Boxing Club, and John Cunningham, from Heroes Amateur Boxing Club respectively.

Reece showed plenty of heart after taking a standing eight count before dropping a points decision.

The superior fitness of his brother’s opponent was the difference as he too lost out on points.

The top-of-the-bill match-up over three three-minute rounds was between southpaw Ryan Frost and Colchester’s John Beswick.

However, due a clash of styles, it descended into an ugly brawl at times, with Beswick eventually edging a split points win.

Welterweight Paul Gordon ran into Halstead’s useful James Blore.

Blore switched attacks from body to head to good effect to dominate the contest.

By the midway point, the Harwich corner retired their boxer in the face of persistent pressure, awarding a deserved victory to Blore.

Finally, Liam Cousins started so well against Hurstlea Amateur Boxing Club’s Jack Christian.

He took the first round by storm, but unfortunately for him his opponent responded well to take the final two rounds and secure a points win.

Cousins was therefore left still in search of an elusive maiden victory.