Wolvercote's Paul Stedman and Steve Mullins booked their place in the next stage of this year's ABA Championships after recording points boxing victories at Reading University.

Stedman claimed his place in the Home Counties light-welterweight final with a workmanlike performance to beat Cheshunt rival Billy Crotty.

There was little to separate the pair in the opening round, but the Wolvercote man then got behind a solid jab to open gaps in his opponent's guard.

Stedman was more positive in his work and always had the edge in speed and accuracy which Crotty failed to match.

And he kept up the pace right up until the final bell to emerge a decisive winner.

Mullins was quickly into his stride at the start of his middleweight clash with old rival Ashley Dennis, and even displayed a new trick in his repertoire by switching to the southpaw stance.

Connecting with clipping rights and lefts to the body, he began to edge ahead as his Hertfordshire opponent started to show signs of frustration.

Mullins upped his workrate in the second half of the bout, and despite a last-ditch rally by the Stevenage man, it was too late to reverse the tide.

But Mullins's elder brother, Peter, saw his hopes disappear before he even climbed through the ropes.

The Witney welterweight failed to make the 69kg limit, giving Bedford rival Lee Cristoe a walkover.

"I've been suffering with a sore throat and a heavy cold, so there was no way I was able to train during the past week," explained Mullins.

"The whole season revolves around the ABA championships, which makes it both frustrating and a real disappointment."