COLCHESTER Amateur Boxing Club schoolboy James Price warmed up for his first competitive bout with a confident display.

Price faced more experienced boxer Jake Lee of Chadwell St Mary ABC in a no decision skills contest on the Smokey's Community BC show, in Tilbury.

The Colchester southpaw proved himself ready for competitive boxing as he boxed well, following coaches' orders throughout the contest.

James' classy movement and long-range eye-catching punches impressed the officials and crowd alike.

He is now gearing up for his first-ever bout at the Colchester ABC Open Show, on April 1.

Colchester ABC duo Ben Lee and Philip Dow were both in action at the Bletchley ABC Open Show.

Lee boxed a touch contest against the sharp and assertive Qasim Hanif.

Despite flashes of good combination punching, Lee allowed Hanif to control the range and pace of the bout in the first two rounds.

Stepping on the pressure in the final round allowed Lee to dominate some of the action.

But that was not enough to alter the judges' decision and Hanif secured a points decision win.

Dow started his contest against Mark Gavin with sharp eye-catching punches, keeping his opponent at range.

Gavin kept the pressure on, landing a solid blow that sent Dow to the canvas.

Dow rose quickly to his feet and continued the contest but Colchester's coaches retired Dow early and ended the contest early, for the safety of their own boxer.

Colchester ABC junior prospects Phoebe Davies and Tommy Reid were due to contest the England Boxing National Championships quarter-finals, in Harlow.

However, both of their opponents pulled out of the championships, meaning the duo now progress to this Saturday's semi-finals in Basildon, with the final held the following day.

Colchester ABC's forthcoming Open Show will see 14 of their own and other local boxers compete against some of the best pugilists in the county.

The show takes place on Saturday afternoon on April 1 at St Benedicts Catholic College in Norman Way, Colchester.