Former European champion Chris Finnegan has backed Epsom's Tommy Eastwood to make it to the top after watching him take a points victory over Zimbabwean Hastings Rasani on Saturday, writes Melanie Lloyd.

Referee Lee Cook scored the six-round cruiserweight battle 59-56 at the Thistle Heathrow Hotel.

Eastwood, the Southern Area champion, is now lined up to fight Rob Norton for the English cruiserweight crown in the new year.

Finnegan, who claimed middleweight gold at the 1968 Olympics before winning British Commonwealth and European light-heavyweight crowns, said: "Tommy showed guts and determination.

"I've got nothing but admiration for him and I think he's going to go a long way."

In his 15th professional bout, Eastwood started aggressively, forcing Rasani on to the ropes and using clever footwork to force Rasani to miss.

In the second, Eastwood piled straight back in on the opening bell.

The experienced Rasani, in his 47th professional fight, was prepared to stand and trade punches, and this was the only close round of the fight.

Eastwood continued to dominate in the following rounds, allowing Rasani only minimal success.

The Epsom man finished the third with a spot on right upper-cut that earned him a nod of respect from Rasani, and began the fourth with another explosive flurry, again forcing Rasani to hold on.

On the break, Eastwood sent him back to the ropes with a powerful left hook, right cross combination and, at the end of the round, Rasani was pinned into a neutral corner while Eastwood fired off another flashy combination.

Rasani was saved by the bell and, during the rest of the fight, used all the tricks of the trade to frustrate Eastwood, but he remained focused, continuing to hurt Rasani with his jab at every opportunity.

The final round was all action from start to finish.

Rasani, who has stopped 16 of his opponents, remained dangerous to the end, but there was no doubt about the winner.