Mourant and Durey in spotlight for first event

STUART MOURANT, the classy welterweight, tops the bill at tomorrow night's opening show of a new dinner boxing season at St Pierre Park Hotel. In recent winters the honour of fighting last has invariably gone to popular heavyweight Matt Jennings, but work commitments have reduced his training of late and he will not return to action until the January show.

'Jennings has been out for several weeks because he's working in Jersey,' said coach Graham Guilbert, who is glad to have Mourant back.

'He's classy and top-of-the-bill,' said Guilbert of the now Bristol-based Guernseyman.

Mourant, who boxes in the open class, invariably provides excellent entertainment and on this occasion goes against T. Dwyer representing north-east counties.

The club's head coach is also keen to see the progress of young light-middleweight, Howard Durey, whom he rates very highly.

Durey is one of four locals targeting the ABAs in January, the others being Bradley Watson, Jennings and Michael Duff.

Watson and Duff both miss out this time, the former because he cannot be matched.

Meanwhile, there is a good buzz around the club's training headquarters, reports Guilbert.

'We've been training through the summer and we've had a helluva influx, including two 14/15-year-old Latvians. They are looking good.

'We've got around 35 there now. It's going really well.'

Eleven bouts are scheduled for tomorrow evening and the home team comprises: Cane Truffitt, James Woolnough, Callum Pearson, Joel Mitten (Alderney), Simon Hains-worth, Dave Young, Durey, Danny Froome, Alex Argo, Adam Rose (Alderney) and Mourant.