LUKE Cooney overcame Dan Ashman at Newton Abbott ABC in his most testing bout to date.

The Dorchester boxer produced another crowd-pleasing performance to defeat his Bideford opponent.

This was no easy task for Cooney though, as Ashman had done his homework and was ready to stick to his corner's instructions and attack from the inside.

But Cooney, under immense pressure, dodged and punched in refined retaliation. Neither boy appeared fazed by the capacity crowd as they battled away at each other.

The second round saw Ashman rushing forwards on the attack but leaving himself wide open, and Cooney seized his chance - catching his opponent with a peach of a right uppercut.

On the ropes as a result of the looping right, Ashman looked to be in trouble. A lesser boxer would have been counted out but not Ashman, and a furious exchange of punches followed.

The county town competitor took charge in the final round, with his straight punches gaining the upper hand. And he finished the bout the fresher of the two, to clearly win by a majority decision.

Fellow Dorchester boxer Elias Anderson had to watch the showcase from the sidelines as his scheduled opponent failed to turn up.