Oxford Boxing Academy middleweight Chris Wood cruised through the first stage of this year's ABA Senior Championships with a comfortable win over Stevenage's Terry Skipper at Luton.

The veteran added another Home Counties title to his trophy collection with a polished ring display that left few opportunities for his rival to counter his domination of the bout.

Getting behind a firm, penetrating jab from the bell, Wood was able to land both fists throughout the target area to give the judges an easy task.

"That was my first bout for a while, so I was keen to get the four rounds under my belt," said the jubilant Wood.

"I knew I had it in my grasp to stop him earlier on, but going the distance was better preparation for the next stage of the competition."

Wood now faces Joe Bennett from the Kingfisher gym in Norfolk, who won the Eastern Counties title at the weekend, in Harlow today.

A victory from that encounter will then see him through to the quarter finals a week later.

But Oxford Boxing Academy supremo Faz Keyani is only prepared to consider the title challenge one step at a time.

He said: "Chris knows it will be a harder fight next time around and the preparation is being geared up to meet that challenge.

"Thinking further ahead is a distraction, so that is firmly left to one side."

There was disappointment for Academy featherweight Lawrence Lewis, who lost on points to Stevenage rival Bradley Evans.

Lewis had a bad day at the office and never really managed to show his true potential.

After a close opening session, the Stevenage man started to gain the upper hand and the Oxford camp had no argument as Evans had his arm raised in triumph.