Dave Birmingham makes good on his promise with best performance yet in Southsea

The former Pompey footballer shone over six rounds in front of a partisan crowd, writes Andrew Fairley.

He was too good for good his opponent and felt that even with plenty more to iron out it was his best fight to date.

He said: '˜I really enjoyed it. We've been working on a lot in the gym and I wanted to show that.

'˜But there were times in there when I picked up on my faults more than anything else.

'˜I did feel comfortable and he didn't threaten me whatsoever.

'˜I boxed really well behind my jab and without watching it back yet I think that was the best I've ever fought. I just eased into it and then upped the pace.

'˜When he came in and tried to smother me I just held him and let the referee split us up and although he caught me once or twice with his head, that's boxing.

'˜He just kept coming but he was out-boxed and outworked and I had plenty left in the tank at the end.'

The night was staged jointly by Noble Art Boxing and Atlantic Promotions.

It was a great occasion.

Birmingham was confident he would continue his excellent form ahead of the fight and he lived up to that promise.

He is improving with each fight and while his fitness and stamina has always been in evidence throughout his 10 fight career to date, his technique has really come on.

Dominating from the first bell Birmingham displayed a thudding, accurate jab and good punch variety, repeatedly landing a whipping uppercut when the opportunity presented itself.

With only 12 victories in 64 contests Richards had nonetheless come to take the win and boxed in a manner belying his poor record, exchanging freely with the former Pompey footballer and remaining competitive throughout.

Birmingham is now focused on his next big fight against undefeated talent Youssef Khoumari at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, in London, on Saturday, December 1.