TARIQ Quaddus is the new British Mastes Bronze light-heavweight champion after dominanting Sam Couzens.

The Swindon-based 24-year-old impressed at the Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitwick Leicestershire to take an 80-72 decision over the Titchfield boxer after having on the canvas in the second round.

Quaddus, who has yet to receive his Masters’ belt, was delighted with how he performed.

“I’m really happy with that,” Quaddus said. “I had him down in the second round and fired in 20 unanswered punches.

“People were coming up to me afterwards and staying that it was the fight of the show.”

Although Couzens weighed in at 182 pounds - seven over the light-heavyweight limit- the 24-year-old, who tipped the scales at 173lb felt that he was pleased that the fight was not stopped in the second round.

“What it do was give me a good eight rounds - it was the same pace from the first to the last bell.

“I am really happy with how it all went.”

And the southpaw’s trainer Richard Farnanwas delighted with how his southpaw performed against the former foe of Kelvin Young.

He said: “I couldn’t find any fault with the performance, he boxed beautifully.

“Maybe the fight could have been stopped when Taz had Sam down in the second but that doesn’t take away from a great performance.

“He was awesome, it was the fight of the night, it was an abolute brilliant fight and I couldn’t be more proud of Taz.”

However, Farnan was less then impressed with Couzens after the Titchfield weighed in at 182 pounds, while Quaddus came in at 173.

“I wasn’t with that,” Farnan said “But at the same time I wasn’t worried as I knew what Taz was capable off.

“That weight advantage is probably what saved Sam from being knocked out.

“I have massive respect for Sam, he said to me afterward how hard Taz was hitting and that he was surprised that he hasn’t knocked anyone out yet - I’m said he will.”