HOLLAND Shore Boxing Club's Joss Bennett kept himself busy over the weekend with two skills contests.

The first was on the Chalvedon show at Basildon.

Up against Fenland Sparta's Kye Austin, Bennett had no problems as he dominated all three rounds with sharp, loose left hands constantly finding their mark.

Every time Austin tried to get involved he was caught with heavy right hands which made him just concentrate on survival.

Moving onto Sudbury Rugby Club for his second skills bout, Bennett was up against Sudbury's Cameron Mateer, who was intent on pushing the Holland Shore boy harder.

However, again, the tall, lean Bennett's heavy punching proved the deciding factor.

Controlling the ring centre with sharp left hand and heavy combinations, Bennett was always in control for the first two rounds.

Mateer dug deeper in the third, walking onto Bennett as both boys stood their ground.

However, it was the heavy-handed Holland Shore boxer who stood out.

Also competing on the Chalvedon show was Arnie Dawson, who lost out on a tight decision when up against Fenland Sparta's Richard Smith.

All three rounds were close, with both boys showing too much respect for each other.

Dawson began backing Smith up but was falling short with combinations, with Smith's counter-punching maybe edging a close round.

Dawson raised the pace in the second, catching the compact Smith with single punches to edge another close round.

Dawson was still making the contest in the third, backing Smith to the ropes with combinations.

However, his opponent's counter-punching produced another tight round with Dawson losing out on a close one.