JOSHUA Buatsi will fight in the national Junior Novice Championship Finals this Saturday after dominating his quarter-final and semi-final bouts in Romford.

Buatsi, of South Norwood & Victory Amateur Boxing Club, met the more experienced Busby of Lawrence ABC in the quarter-final on October 31.

But he kept his man on the back foot by constantly throwing shots, forcing Busby to cover up for most of the contest.

Although a lot of his shots were taken on the gloves he got through with many clean punches to head and body, and when a solid right to the head left his opponent with a suspected broken nose, the ref stopped the bout in the third round.

Buatsi returned to Romford for the semi-final last Sunday and met Cooper of Downend Bristol, and although he was giving away experience again he attacked his man from the first bell.

Most of his work was controlled as he landed with shots to head and body, but was guilty of being a little wild at times.

Cooper had no answers to Buatsi's work rate and was retired by his corner after being trapped on the ropes.

It was not such good news for Buatsi's club mate Lewis Martin who put in a below-par performance in his quarter-final and lost on a unanimous points decision to southpaw Redman of Chalvedon ABC.

Brandon Birch, 11, made a nervous start in his debut bout with S Miah of Northolt ABC in Earlsfield, losing the first two rounds.

He got it together in the third and shared the honours but lost on points.

Another debutant, Stephen Crawford, put in an excellent performance to outpoint A Williams of Fitzroy Lodge ABC with good footwork and two-punch combinations.

South Norwood Victory are holding a tournament at Earlsfield on November 21. For information call 01689 842070.