Lenny Daws "can be European champion" according to Mick Hennessy, after the Morden boxer beat Ville Piispanen for the European Union light-welterweight title on Saturday.

Hennessy also called Daws's victory over Finland's Piispanen at Glow, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe his best professional performance to date.

The 33-year-old former British champion edged a step closer to securing a shot at the full version of the European title currently held by Russia's Denis Shafikov after seeing off the dangerous tough-teak and former belt holder Piispanen to the full twelve round distance.

Scores of 116-112, 118-110 and 117-112 gave 'Lightening' Daws his 25th pro success in 29 outings.

Hennessy, who also promotes European super-middleweight champion James DeGale, heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury and Chris Eubank Jr,  is confident he can secure the Morden man a dream shot at Shafikov's European title: "Before Lenny went into this fight he was number two in European Boxing Union Rankings but this victory should now make him number one.

"He is very close to a European title fight which has been my dream for Lenny. He can be European champion then we'll see where we can go from there because I know he can."

And Hennessy, who has promoted Carshalton-born Daws from the start of his professional career back in April 2003, paid compliments to the very game Helsinki-based Piispanen: "He (Piispanen) was a really hard nut to crack because he really had a real tight defence.

"He was very game, he kept on swinging and had a very dangerous right hand.

"I actually think that was the best performance in Lenny Daws's career. There was something special in Lenny tonight and that's the best he has ever boxed and I'm excited for the future for him."