ROCKET Ronnie Nwakaeze blazed to a brilliant semi-final win in the Under-63.5kilo National Boxing Senior Novice Championship against Corporal Lieutenant Tombes of the Army on Sunday.

The Waltham Forest Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) fighter was slow to get started as he looked to counter his much taller opponent with a string of body shots.

But following a fairly even start to the second round at the Focus Youth Club in Peterborough, 21-year-old Nwakaeze lit the blue touch paper.

And the Rocket certainly exploded into life with a barrage of blows that saw Tombes issued with two standing eight-counts before the end of the round, and leave the army retiring their man on his stool.

The Forest youngster will be in action now in the final on Sunday January 23 at the Elmbridge Sports and Social Club, Forest Road Hainault.

Reflecting on events delighted coach Chris Baker said: “Ronnie put in another brilliant performance and all the hard work he has been doing is really paying off.

“He’s been training twice a day all over Christmas and he is an example to our other lads of what you can achieve if you put the effort in.

“Hopefully with the final just up the road next week Ronnie will get plenty of support behind him, because he is certainly great to watch.”