Boxer Billy Joe through to European final in Poland

Billy Joe Saunders on his way to beating Spaniard Hilario in Poland
BEIJING-bound Billy Joe Saunders is through to the final of the European Union Elite Amateur Boxing Championships in Poland after a comfortable semi-final win.

The Hatfield fighter defeated experienced and tricky Frenchman Xavier Noel in an all-southpaw battle yesterday 

Saunders defied his 18 years with a solid all-round performance to win the bout.

Welterweight Billy Joe quickly took control to secure an early 4-2 lead in the first round.

The Hoddesdon Boxing Academy product continued to dominate in the second and took a two-point lead into the third round.

He built upon that to move into the final round 9-5 ahead.

Saunders started to slow the Frenchman down with some heavy and accurate body punches.

The strength, skill, speed and youth of Billy Joe was too much for the French fighter and he secured his place in the final against Dieter Doehl by winning the bout 14-5.

Doehl will provide a stern test for the Herts hitter, with the German defeating home favourite Mariusz Koperski 17-14 on points after four rounds.

Earlier in the competition, the Hoddesdon Boxing Academy star defeated Hungarian Tamas Sipos after his corner retired him due to sustained punishment.

Next up, the 18-year-old disposed of Spaniard Mariano Hilario after the referee stopped the fight in the third with Saunders already 20-0 up.