REIKO Rickwood produced a devastating display of punching power to reach the semi finals of the England Boxing (ABA's) Minor's Championship.

The big-hitting Sandygate ABC youngster stopped his opponent in the first round - the only first round TKO in the championships - to improve his hopes of winning a national title.

However, fellow Sandaygate boxer Joe Crawford bowed out at the quarter final stage after the narrowest of defeats on the Croxteth show in Liverpool.

The Burnley club’s hopes of harbouring another national champion know rest on the shoulders of Rickwood.

The Hameldon High School pupil was up against K Maher from Aintreee ABC in their 43kg contest.

Straight from the sound of the bell theYear 7 pupil unleased a constant flow of lead, rear hand ram-rod straight punches which forced there way through the guard of the Merseyside Champion giving the man-in-the-middle no choice but to administer a standing eight count to the highly-rated Maher.

After the standing count, the referee resumed the bout but it was clear the Sandygate starlet was in no mood to hang about.

He brief burst of shots saw Maher retreat to the ropes then Rickwood went to work; unleashing a flurry of combinations that once again forced the referee to intervene A dazed and stunned Maher was given another mandatory eight count and it was no surprise that the referee halted the bout before the first round had ended.

Rickwood now boxes the Tyne Tee's/East Midlands Champion in the semi finals.

It meant the evening finished on a high for Sandygate after the agony of Crawford slender defeat.

It was always going to be a tough night for Sandygate’s North West Regional champions as the both faced tough Merseyside and Cheshire champions in their own back yard.

Crawford was up against J Turner of Croxteth ABC in the 37kg weight category - and it turned out to be soem battle. Straight from the opening bell, the St Christopher’s Year 7 pupil Crawford dampened the advances of the stocky Liverpudlian moving well catching and countering with relative ease. The second and third rounds however saw a rejuvenated Turner come forward, constantly breaking the flow of the unbeaten Ighten Hill boxer and not allowing him the get back into his stride.

And it was the Croxteth fighter who got the split decision, 2-1 to inflict the first defeat on Crawford.